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Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Archive 

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Boston  Library  Consortium  IVIember  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/plantfooditsnatu02germ 


PLANT  FOOD 

ITS  NATURE, 

COMPOSITION  AND  MOST 

PROFITABLE  USE 


PREPARED  TO   AID 

PRACTICAL   FARMERS 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE 

Supervising  Committee  of  the  Experimental  Farms 

OF   THE 

North  Carolina  State  Horticultural  Society, 
REPUBLISHED  BY 

GERMAN  KALI  WORKS 

NEW  YORK.  N.  Y.    ATLANTA,  GA.   CHICAGO,  ILL.   HAVANA.  CUIW 


NOTICE 

Every  farmer  can  obtain,  free  of  charge,  a  copy  of  the 
following  agricultural  books: 

POTASH   IN   AGRICULTURE 

FARMERS'   GUIDE 

COTTON   CULTURE 

TOBACCO    CULTURE 

TROPICAL    PLANTING 

STASSFURT   INDUSTRY 

FERTILIZING   TOBACCO 

FERTILIZING   SUGAR   CANE 

SUGAR   CANE   CULTURE 

THE   COW   PEA    . 

PLANT   FOOD 

TRUCK    FARMING 

WHY   THE    FISH    FAILED 

FARMERS'  NOTE  BOOK 

STRAWBERRY  CULTURE 

ORANGE  CULTURE 

VALUE  OF  SWAMP  LANDS 

State   which  of  the   above   mentioned  publications  yon 
desire,  and  it  will  be  mailed  to  you,  free  of  charge, 

ADDRESS: 

GERMAN   KALI   WORKS 

NEW  YORK  ATLANTA,  GA.  CHICAGO,  ILL. 

93  Nassau  Street  1224  Candler  BIdg.  562  Monadnock  Block 

HAVANA,  CUBA 
Empedrado  30 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Jntroduction , 7 

Part  I.     CHEMISTRY  OF  FERTILIZERS. 

Nitrogen  as  a  Fertilizer , ,  g 

Potash  as  a  Fertilizer ,  ic 

Phosphoric  Acid  as  a  Fertilizer lo 

The  function  of  Lime ii 

Terms  used  in  stating  Fertilizer  Analyses ii 

(«)  Nitrogen 12 

0)  Phosphoric  Acid 14 

(c)  Potash 15 

Loss  of  Fertilizer  Constituents  from  the  Soil 16 

Composition  of  Fertilizer  Materials  used  as  sources  of 

(i)  Nitrogen ,  28 

(2)  Phosphoric  Acid 29 

(3)  Potash 30 

Average  Composition  of  most  important  Farm  Manures 31 

Part  II.    DESCRIPTION  OF  FERTILIZER  MATERIALS. 

Indirect  Fertilizers 18 

Direct  Fertilizers 20 

Farm -produced  fertilizing  materials 26 

Part  III.     USE  OF  FERTILIZERS. 

Preferences  shown  by  plants  for  different  forms  of  food 34 

How  to  use  Fertilizers 35 

Needs  of  different  crops 36 

Part  IV.     MIXTURES  FOR  DIFFERENT  CROPS. 

PAGE  PAGE 

Alfalfa 41       Buckwheat 46 

Apples 42      Cabbage 47 

Asparagus 43      Carrots 47 

Barley 43      Celery 48 

Beans 44      Cherries 49 

Beets,  garden .., 45      Clover 50 

Blackberries 46       Corn ,..,..  50 


PAGE 

Cucumbers ....,..,..  51 

Currants 52 

Egg  Plants 52 

Flax 53 

Gooseberries 54 

Grapes.    54 

Grass  for  Pastures 56 

Grass  for  Lawns 57 

Grass  for  Meadows 58 

Hops , 58 

Lettuce 59 

Lucerne 6c 

Nursery  Stock 60 

Oats 60 

Onions 61 

Parsnips 62 

Peaches 62 


PAGE 

Pears 63 

Peas , , 63 

Plums 63 

Potatoes 65 

Radishes 65 

Raspberries 68 

Rye 69 

Sorghum 69 

Spinach 69 

Squashes 70 

Strawberries 70 

Tobacco 70 

Tomatoes 71 

Turnips 73 

Vetch • 73 

Watermelons 73 

Wheat. 73 


Suggestions  relating  to  separate  fertilizer  ingredients 73 

Methods  and  seasons  of  applying  fertilizers 75 

Rules  for  calculating  from  one  compound  into  other  compounds..     80 


Pr^EPAGB. 


This  book  has  been  compiled  from  Bulletin  N<v  94 
(new  series),  issued  by  the  New  York  Agricultural  Expteri- 
ment  Station  at  Geneva,  N.  Y.  The  original  Bulletin, 
which  was  prepared  by  Dr.  L.  L.  Van  Slyke,  has  been 
thoroughly  revised  with  his  approval  and  authority,  and 
many  of  the  technical  and  scientific  details  are  omitted. 
However,  all  the  main  points  of  interest  and  importance 
are  given  in  this  book,  which  is  offered  to  the  careful 
study  and  consideration  of  intelligent  and  practical  farmers 
everywhere. 


INTRODUCTION. 

THIS  treatise  should  be  carefully  studied.  It  is  not 
enough  to  merely  read  it  over  ;  the  whole  foundation 
of  scientific  manuring  is  given  as  briefly  as  possible,  but  a 
mere  casual  reading  will  not  make  it  of  practical  use  to  the 
average  farmer.  It  must  be  studied.  Possibly  the  best 
plan  would  be  to  take  it  up  in  sections,  and  read  and  re- 
read until  the  points  involved  become  familiar. 

The  farmer  must  bear  in  mind  that  with  modern  com- 
petition, he  cannot  afford  to  neglect  the  slightest  detail. 
A  careful  study  of  this  book  will  enable  him  to  buy  and 
use  the  different  forms  of  manures  and  fertilizers  as  intelli- 
gently as  the  progress  in  agricultural  science  permits.  The 
book  should  be  constantly  kept  at  hand  for  convenient 
reference. 

Manure  and  fertilizers  are  one  and  the  same  thing — all 
manures  and  fertilizers  are  merely  so  much  nitrogen,  pot- 
ash, and  phosphoric  acid.  It  is  as  well  for  the  reader  to 
try  and  not  think  of  manure  as  so  much  refuse  from  the 
stables,  but  rather  as  substances  containing  so  much  nitro- 
gen, potash,  and  phosphoric  acid. 

THE    FOUR    FUNDAMENTAL    LAWS. 

The  systematic  scientific  study  of  agriculture  was  com- 
menced about  fifty  years  ago,  and  it  is  to  the  celebrated 


8  PLANT    FOOD 

German  agricultural  chemist  Justus  von  Liebig  we  owe  the 
following  four  elementary  laws,  which  are  the  foundation 
of  the  best  modern  practice. 

I.  A  soil  can  be  termed  fertile  only  when  it  contains 
all  the  materials  necessary  for  the  nutrition  of  plants, 
in  the  required  quantity,  in  the  proper  form, 

II.  With  every  crop  a  portion  of  these  ingredients 
is  removed.  A  part  of  this  is  again  added  from  the 
inexhaustible  store  of  the  atmosphere  ,  another  part, 
however,  is  lost  forever  if  not  replaced  by  man. 

III.  The  fertility  of  the  soil  remains  unchanged  it 
all  the  ingredients  of  the  crop  are  given  bacli  to  the 
soil.  Such  a  restitution  is  effected  by  manure  or  fer- 
tilizers. 

IV.  The  manure  produced  in  the  course  of  farming 
is  not  sufficient  to  maintain  permanently  the  fertility  of 
a  farm  ;  it  lacks  the  constituents  which  are  annually 
sold  in  the  shape  of  grain,  hay,  milk,  and  live  stock. 

These  laws  cove^   the  whole  subject,  but  to  understand 

them  so  that  they  may  be  applied  at  work  in  the  field,  it  is 

necessary  to  have  a  fair  idea  of  the  sources  of  plant-food  of 

the    different   kinds,  and   how  best  to  use  these  different 

kinds  for  different  crops. 


PART  I. 

CHEMISTRY  OF  FERTILIZERS. 

It  is  generally  understood  that  all  manures  or  fertilizers 
are  valuable  for  the  nitrogen,  potash,  or  phosphoric  acid 
they  contain.  Though  other  substances  are  needed  for 
plant  growth,  they  are  almost  always  present  in  the  soil  in 
sufficient  quantity.  Lime  might  be  made  an  exception, 
although  its. use  is  largely  to  improve  the  mechanical  con- 
dition of  the  soil,  and  cure  it  of  sourness.  Lime  also 
aids  in  rotting  the  vegetable  matter. 

NITROGEN    AS    A    FERTILIZER. 

The  influence  of  nitrogen  in  its  various  forms  upon 
plant  growth  is  shown  by  at  least  three  striking  effects. 

First.  The  growth  of  stems  and  leaves  is  greatly  pro- 
moted, while  that  of  buds  and  flowers  is  retarded.  Ordin- 
arily, most  plants,  at  a  certain  period  of  growth,  cease  to 
produce  new  branches  and  foliage,  or  to  increase  those 
already  formed,  and  commence  to  produce  flowers  and 
fruits,  whereby  the  species  may  be  perpetuated.  If  a  plant 
is  provided  with  as  much  available  nitrogen  as  it  can  use 
just  at  the  time  it  begins  to  flower,  the  formation  of  flowers 
may  be  checked  while  the  activity  of  growth  is  transferred 
back  to  and  renewed  in  stems  and  leaves,  which  take  on  a 
new  vigor  and  multiply  with  luxuriance.     Should  flowers 

9 


kO  PLANT    FOOD. 

be    produced    under   these    circumstances,  they  are  often 
sterile  and  produce  no  seed. 

Second.  The  next  effect  of  nitrogen  upon  plants  is  to 
deepen  the  color  of  the  foliage,  which  is  a  sign  of  increased 
vegetative  activity  and  health. 

Third,  Another  effect  of  nitrogen  is  to  increase  in  a 
very  marked  degree  the  relative  proportion  of  nitrogen  in 
the  plant. 

POTASH    AS    A    FERTILIZER. 

Potash  is  essential  to  the  formation  and  transference  of 
starch  in  plants.  Starch  is  known  to  be  first  formed  in  the 
leaves  of  plants,  after  which  in  some  way  it  becomes  soluble 
enough  within  the  plant  cells  to  enable  it  to  pass  through 
the  cell-walls  gradually  and  later  to  be  carried  into  the 
fruit,  where  it  accumulates  and  changes  back  to  its  in- 
soluble form.  It  is  well  established  that  potash  is  inti- 
mately connected  with  the  formation  of  starch  in  the  leaves 
and  with  its  transference  to  the  fruit.  No  other  element 
can  take  the  place  of  potash  in  performing  this  work. 
Potash  is  important  on  account  of  its  influence  upon  the 
development  of  the  woody  parts  of  stems  and  fleshy  por- 
tions of  fruits. 

PHOSPHORIC    ACID    AS    A    FERTILIZER. 

Experiments  have  shown  that  plants  will  die  before 
reaching  maturity,  unless  they  have  phosphoric  acid  to 
feed  upon.  Phosphates  appear  to  perform  three  distinct 
functions  in  plants. 

First.     They  aid  in  the  nutrition  of  the  plant  by  furnish 
Vng  the  needed  quantities  of  phosphoric  acid 


PLANT    FOOD.  il 

Sicond.  They  aid  the  plant,  in  some  way  not  well  un- 
derstood, to  make  use  of  or  assimilate  other  ingredients. 
Phosphates  are  found  in  the  seeds  of  plants,  and,  as  already 
stated,  a  plant  does  not  come  to  maturity  and  so  does  not 
produce  seeds,  unless  phosphates  are  present  in  the  soil  for 
the  plants  to  feed  upon.  The  liberal  application  of  avail- 
able phosphate  compounds  appears  to  hasten  the  maturity 
of  plants. 

Third.  Certain  forms  of  phosphates  render  the  albumi- 
noids sufficiently  soluble  to  enable  them  to  be  carried  from 
the  growing  parts  of  plants  to  the  seeds,  in  which  they 
accumulate  in  quantity. 

THE    FUNCTION    OF    LIME. 

The  chief  function  of  lime  is  to  improve  the  mechanical 
condition  of  the  soil  by  loosening  heavy  clay  soils  and  also 
by  holding  together  and  giving  body  to  light  sandy  soils. 
Lime  aids  in  the  decomposition  of  animal  and  vegetable 
matter,  such  as  vegetable  mould,  stable-manure,  etc.,  and 
tends  to  convert  them  into  available  plant-food. 

In  using  lime,  care  should  be  taken  not  to  use  too  large 
quantities  at  a  time ;  and,  ordinarily,  it  is  best  to  use  it  in 
connection  with  liberal  applications  of  nutritive  fertilizers 
Lime  can  be  used  with  much  advantage  on  freshly  drained 
swamp-lands  and  also  on  lands  newly  cleared. 

TERMS   USED    IN    STATING    FERTILIZER   ANALYSES. 

Fertilizer  dealers,  and  the  Experiment  Station  Bulletins 
treat  the  different  forms  of  fertilizer  materials  separately, 


12  PLANT    FOOD. 

and  it  is  important  tnat  the  farmer  should  be  familiar  with 
these  trade  names,  and  understand  what  they  mean 

The  following  list  contains  most  of  the  terms  used  in 
stating  fertilizer  analyses. 

Nitrogen  is  expressed  as 

{a)  Nitrogen,  {b)  Ammonia,  {c)  Nitrogen  equal  (oi 
equivalent)  to  Ammonia. 

Phosphoric  Acid  is  expressed  as 

{a)  Phosphoric  Acid,  {U)  Soluble  Phosphoric  Acid, 
{c)  Reverted  Phosphoric  Acid,  {d)  Precipitated  Phos- 
phoric Acid,  {e)  Available  Phosphoric  Acid,  (/)  Soluble 
and  Available  Phosphoric  Acid,  {g)  Insoluble  Phos- 
phoric Acid,  (Ji)  Total  Phosphoric  Acid,  (/)  Phosphoric 
Acid  equal  (or  equivalent)  to  Bone  Phosphate  of  Lime. 

Potash  is  expressed  as 

{a)  Potash,  {b)  Potash  (actual),  {c)  Potash  S.  (or  Sul.), 
(^)  Potash  (Soluble),  {e)  Potash  as  Sulphate,  (/)  Potash 
equal  (or  equivalent)  to  Sulphate  of  Potash,  (^)  Sul- 
phate of  Potash,    iji)  Potassium  Oxide. 

NITROGEN. 

{a)  Nitrogen  is  a  gas  and,  in  this  form,  cannot  be  used 
in  fertilizers.  Therefore,  whenever  we  speak  of  nitro- 
gen in  fertilizers,  we  do  not  mean  that  nitrogen  exists  in 
them  as  simple  nitrogen.  The  nitrogen  in  fertilizers  is 
always  combined  with  other  elements,  and  may  be  present 
in  one  or  more  different  forms:  —  (ist)  in  the  form  of 
Nitrates,  as  nitrate  of  soda  ;  (2nd)  in  the  form  of  Ammonia 
compounds,  as  sulphate  of  ammonia ;  and  (3rd)  in  the  form 


PLANT    FOOD.  13 

3f  organic  matter,  animal  or  vegetable,  as  dried  blood, 
meat,  tobacco-stems,  etc.  Chemical  analysis  according  to 
official  methods  does  not  attempt  to  ascertain  and  state  in 
which  form  or  forms  the  nitrogen  is  present  in  a  fertilizer. 

When,  therefore,  nitrogen  is  expressed  in  an  analysis  or 
guarantee  as  "  nitrogen,"  it  refers  to  the  entire  amount  of 
nitrogen  present  without  regard  to  the  particular  form  or 
forms  in  which  it  is  present. 

(b)  Ammonia  consists  of  nitrogen  combined  with  hydro- 
gen. A  pound  of  nitrogen  will  form  more  than  a  pound  of 
ammonia,  because  the  ammonia  formed  from  a  pound  of 
nitrogen  will  contain  that  pound  of  nitrogen  plus  the  neces- 
sary amount  of  hydrogen  added  to  form  ammonia.  The 
chemical  relations  of  nitrogen  and  ammonia  are  such  that 
14  pounds  of  nitrogen  will  unite  with  exactly  three  pounds 
of  hydrogen,  and  will,  therefore,  produce  just  17  pounds  of 
ammonia ;  or  one  pound  of  nitrogen  will  make  1.2 14  pounds 
of  ammonia. 

{c)  Nitrogen  equal  or  equivalent  to  Ammonia  is  a  form  of 
expression  which  simply  means  that  the  nitrogen  is  stated 
not  as  nitrogen  but  as  ammonia. 

It  would  be  better  on  every  account  if  all  guarantees 
stated  simply  nitrogen  and  never  mentioned  ammonia  at 
all.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  compounds  of  ammonia  are  quite 
uncommon  in  commercial  fertilizers,  because  nitrogen  in 
this  form  is  the  most  expensive  and,  therefore,  least  used. 
Strictly  speaking,  the  term  ammonia  should  never  be  used 
except  when  sulphate  of  ammonia  or  some  similar  com 
pound  is  present  in  the  fertilizer. 


I^  PLANT    FOOD. 

PHOSPHORIC   ACID. 

{a)  Phosphoric  Acid^  as  used  in  connection  with  fertil- 
izers, is  a  compound  containing  phosphorus  and  oxygen, 
which  in  fertilizers  is  found  never  by  itself,  but  in  combina- 
tion with  lime.  Phosphoric  acid  stands  for  a  certain  amount 
of  phosphate  of  lime.  We  may  say  roughly  that  one  part 
of  phosphoric  acid  is  equivalent  to  about  two  parts  of  phos- 
phate of  lime.  But  we  know  that  phosphoric  acid  exists  in 
several  different  forms. 

{b)  Soluble  Phosphoric  Acid  represents  the  amount  of 
phosphate  of  lime  that  dissolves  easily  in  water;  it  is  formed 
by  treating  with  sulphuric  acid  some  form  of  insoluble  lime 
phosphate,  such  as  bones,  bone-ash,  South  Carolina  rock, 
etc.     The  phosphate  thus  formed  is  readily  soluble  in  water. 

{c)  Reverted  Phosphoric  Acid  is  formed  from,  soluble 
phosphoric  acid  under  certain  conditions  into  which  we 
need  not  inquire  here.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  soluble 
compound  of  phosphoric  acid  often  changes,  to  some  extent, 
on  standing  into  a  form,  which  while  less  soluble,  is  still 
quite  readily  available  as  plant-food. 

{d)  Precipitated  Phosphoric  Acid  is  simply  another  name 
for  reverted  phosphoric  acid. 

{e)  Available  Phosphoric  Acid  includes  both  the  soluble 
and  reverted  forms  of  phosphoric  acid,  because  both  forms 
arc  available  for  the  use  of  plants. 

(/)  Soluble  and  available  Phosphoric  Acid  is  an  expres- 
sion which  means  the  same  as  available. 

(g)     Insoluble   Phosphoric   Acid  represents   the  form  of 


PLANT    FOOD.  I5 

phosphoric  acid  in  raw  phosphate  of  lime,  and  which  is  of 
least  value  for  agricultural  purposes. 

{h)  Total  Phospho7'ic  Acid  represents  the  entire  phos- 
phoric acid  compounds  without  regard  to  the  forms  in 
which  they  exist.  The  total  phosphoric  acid  is,  therefore, 
the  sum  of  the  soluble,  reverted  and  insoluble  forms;  or,  to 
state  it  in  another  way,  the  sum  of  the  available  and  insolu- 
ble forms. 

(?)  Phosphoric  Acid  equal  {or  equivalent)  to  Bone  Phos- 
phate of  Lime  is  an  expression  which  usually  means  nothing 
more  nor  less  than  insoluble  phosphoric  acid. 

POTASH. 

{a)  Potash^  as  used  in  connection  with  fertilizers,  always 
means  a  compound  containing  potassium  and  oxygen, 
known  chemically  as  potassium  oxide.  Potash  is  never 
found  as  such  in  fertilizers,  but  chemists  use  this  form  of 
expressing  the  results  of  analyses  as  a  convenient  standard 
for  reference.  Fertilizers  generally  contain  potash  in  such 
forms  as  sulphate  of  potash,  muriate  of  potash,  or  carbonate 
of  potash.  Instead  of  stating  the  amount  of  sulphate, 
muriate  or  carbonate  of  potash  present  in  a  fertilizer,  its 
equivalent  amount  is  stated  only  in  the  form  of  actual  pot- 
ash in  giving  the  results  of  analyses. 

{b)  Potash  actual  is  simply  another  name  for  potash,  as 
distinct  from  sulphate,  muriate,  etc. 

{c)  Potash  S.  {or  sul.)  means  sulphate  of  potash.  This 
Is  quite  often  used  by  manufacturers  in  giving  guarantees 


l6  PLANT    FOOD. 

{d)  Potash  soluble  represents  the  amount  of  potash  that 
dissolves  in  water  and  is  available  for  the  use  of  plants. 
The  different  forms  of  potash  commonly  used  in  fertilizers 
are  readily  soluble  in  water. 

[e)     Potash  as  Sulphate  means  simply  sulphate  of  potash. 

(/")  Potash  equal  {or  equivalent  to  Sulphate  of  Potash)  is 
*:n  expression  which  means  simply  sulphate  of  potash. 

{g)  Sulphate  of  Potash  signifies  that  this  compound  is 
actually  present  in  the  fertilizer,  and  that  there  is  no  muriate 
present. 

{h)  Potassium  Oxide  means  the  same  as  potash,  or  actual 
potash. 

LOSS  OF  FERTILIZER  CONSTITUENTS    FROM 
THE    SOIL. 

Phosphoric  Acid,  The  phosphoric  acid  in  raw  materials 
such  as  ground  bone  or  ground  phosphate  does  not  readily 
leach  out  of  the  soil.  In  specially  prepared  materials,  how- 
ever, like  dissolved  bone  or  dissolved  phosphate  (acid  phos- 
phate) the  phosphoric  acid  is  quite  soluble  and  would  be 
removed  from  the  soil  by  drainage  water,  were  it  not  for 
the  fact  that  immediately  after  application  the  phosphoric 
a-cid  becomes  changed  into  another  form  which  is  not  apt. 
to  leach  away. 

Nitrogen.  The  mineral  forms  of  nitrogen  such  as  nitrate 
of  soda  and  sulphate  of  ammonia,  both  dissolve  easily  in 
water,  hence  they  would  soon  wash  into  the  subsoil  and  out 
of  reach  of  the  plants.  The  so-called  organic  forms  of 
nitrogen  like  cotton -seed-meal,  tankage,  fish-scrap,  dried- 
blood,  etc.,  are  less  soluble,  and  experience  indicates  that 


PLANT    FOOD. 


17 


they  are  largely  retained  in  the  soil.  It  is  a  matter  of  ob- 
servation also  that  there  is  little  loss  of  nitrogen  by  drain- 
age when  the  soil  is  covered  with  vegetation,  because  the 
roots  of  the  growing  plants  absorb  nitrogen  very  readily. 

Potash,  It  has  been  found  by  experience  that  the  potash 
salts  do  not  wash  away  to  any  appreciable  extent  because 
they  form  certain  combinations  in  the  soil  which  are  not  so 
soluble,  but  which  at  the  same  time  are  readily  available  to 
the  growing  crop. 

In  addition  it  may  be  said,  in  general,  that  loss  of  plant- 
food  is  greatest  in  sandy  soils  ;  the  coarser  the  sand,  the 
greater  the  loss,  the  other  conditions  being  the  same.  Clay 
and  humus  have  very  marked  power  in  retaining  plant-food. 


General  View  of  Vegetable  Department,  Experiment  Farm, 
Southern  Pines,  North  Carolina. 


PART  II. 

DESCRIPTION  OF  FERTILIZER  MATERIALS 


INDIRECT    FERTILIZERS. 

A  stimulant  or  indirect  fertilizer  is  one  which  does  not 
in  itself  furnish  directly  to  the  soil  any  needed  plant-food, 
but  whose  chief  value  depends  upon  the  power  it  possesses 
of  changing  unavailable  into  available  forms  of  plant-food. 
The  stimulant  or  indirect  fertilizers  which  have  been  most 
commonly  employed  are  lime,  gypsum  and  common  salt. 

Gypsum^  or  Land-Plaster^  known  also  as  calcium  sulphate 
or  sulphate  of  lime,  in  some  manner  aids  the  process  of 
nitrification,  by  which  ammonia  and  the  nitrogen  of  organic 
matter  are  converted  into  nitric  acid  and  nitrates.  It  also 
acts  upon  the  insoluble  forms  of  potash  and  other  elements 
of  plant-food,  converting  them  into  soluble  and  available 
forms  ;  it  is  of  value  on  certain  soils  to  certain  crops,  such 
as  clover,  peas,  lucerne  and  similar  plants. 

Quicklime  or  Burnt  Lime,  or  calcium  oxide,  commonly 
called  lime,  produces  changes  in  both  the  physical  and  the 
chemical  character  of  soils.  Freshly  burned  lime  acts 
chemically  upon  soils  by  decomposing  vegetable  and  min* 
eral  matter  already  present  in  the  soil  and  changing  them 
Into  forms  which  are  available  as  food  for  the  plant.     Thus, 


PLANT    FOOD.  1 9 

lime  acts  upon  insoluble  mineral  substances  containing 
potash,  etc.,  and  converts  them  into  soluble  forms.  Lime 
aids  in  the  decomposition  of  animal  and  vegetable  matter, 
such  as  vegetable  mould,  stable-manure,  etc.,  and  tends  to 
convert  them  into  available  plant-food.  In  using  lime,  care 
should  be  taken  not  to  use  too  large  quantities  at  a  time, 
and,  ordinarily,  it  is  best  to  use  it  in  connection  with  liberal 
applications  of  nutritive  fertilizing  substances.  Lirne  can 
be  used  to  advantage  on  freshly  drained  swamp-lands  and 
also  on  lands  newly  cleared. 

Common  salt  has  an  indirect  fertilizing  value  which  is 
mainly  due  to  the  fact  that  it  has  the  power  of  changing 
unavailable  forms  of  plant-food,  especially  potash,  into 
available  forms. 

Danger  in  using  Stimulant  Fertilizers.  It  should 
be  kept  in  mind  that  these  stimulant  fertilizers — that  is, 
gypsum  (or  plaster),  lime,  and  salt, — are  not  used  for  the 
plant-food  contained  in  them  ;  hence,  as  used,  they  do  not 
furnish  needed  plant-food.  The  chief  value  of  their  use  lies 
in  the  fact  that  they  can  change  unavailable  into  available 
forms  of  plant-food.  It  can  readily  be  seen  that,  when 
stimulant  fertilizers  are  used  exclusively  for  a  term  of  years, 
the  soil  each  year  loses  nitrogen,  potash  and  phosphoric  acid, 
which  are  not  replaced.  The  inevitable  result  of  such  treat- 
ment is  the  exhaustion  of  these  important  food  constitu- 
ents from  the  soil.  This  affords  an  explanation  of  the 
question  often  raised  now  as  to  why  the  application  of  land- 
plaster  does  not  give  such  results  in  crop  yields  at  present 
^s  in  former  days.     When  land-plaster  was  the  only  fertiliz- 


20  PLANT    FOOD. 

ing  material  added  to  soils  for  years  in  succession,  it  was 
possible  to  produce  increased  crops  so  long  as  there  were 
in  the  soil  enough  compounds  of  nitrogen,  potassium  and 
phosphorus  to  be  rendered  available  by  the  action  of  the 
land-plaster.  When,  therefore,  these  forms  of  plant-food 
were  largely  removed,  there  was  nothing  for  the  land-plaster 
to  act  upon,  in  orde  to  increase  the  supply  of  available 
food  material.  The  land-plaster  furnished  no  needed  food 
but  simply  helped  the  crop  to  use  more  rapidly  the  store  of 
plant-food  present  in  the  soil. 

DIRECT    FERTILIZERS. 

Direct  fertilizers  contam  forms  of  plant-food,  which 
contribute  directly  to  the  growth  and  substance  of  plants. 
Such  materials  may  contain  either  nitrogen,  or  potash,  or 
phosphoric  acid  compounds,  or  any  two,  or  all  three  of 
these  forms  of  plant-food. 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  known  also  as  "Chili  saltpeter,"  is 
found  in  large  deposits  which  have  been  formed  in  the 
rainless  regions  of  Chili  and  Peru.  Good  commercial 
nitrate  of  soda  contains  from  15  J  to  16  per  cent,  of  nitrogen. 

Sulphate  of  Ammonia  is  formed  from  waste  materials 
.produced  in  the  manufacture  of  illuminating  gas  or  coke. 
Sulphate  of  ammonia  contains  about  25  per  cent,  of  am- 
monia, which  is  equivalent  to  about  2o|^  per  cent,  of 
nitrogen. 

Cotton- Seed-Meal  is  the  product  formed  by  removing  the 
oil  from  cotton-seed  by  pressure,  after  which  the  material  is 
dried  and  ground.     Cotton-seed-meal  contains  about  7  per 


PLANT    FOOD.  21 

cent,  of  nitrogen,  3  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid  and  2  per 
cent,  of  potash.  The  hulls  of  the  cotton-seed  also  possess 
considerable  fertilizing  value. 

Tobacco- Stems  are  the  refuse  from  tobacco-factories. 
They  contain  usually  from  5  to  8  per  cent,  of  potash,  2  to  3 
per  cent,  of  nitrogen,  and  a  small  quantity  of  phosphoric 
acid. 

Dried-Blood  consists  of  blood  obtained  from  slaughtering 
animals;  it  is  prepared  for  market  by  evaporating,  drying 
and  grinding.  The  color  varies  from  red  to  black.  Dried- 
blood  contains  from  10  to  15  per  cent,  of  nitrogen. 

Dried-Fish^  Scraps  and  Ground-Fish  consist  of  refuse 
from  fish-oil  works  and  canneries  ;  it  is  dried  and  ground 
for  market.  Dried  ground-fish,  of  good  quality,  contains 
from  7  to  8  per  cent,  of  nitrogen,  together  with  as  much  or 
more  insoluble  phosphoric  acid. 

Meat-Scraps^  Tankage^  etc.,  are  slaughter-house  refuse, 
dried  and  ground.  Good  tankage  contains  10  per  cent,  or 
more,  of  nitrogen  and  often  10  per  cent,  or  more  of  insoluble 
phosphoric  acid. 

Nitrogenous  Guanos  are  formed  in  dry  regions.  The 
Peruvian  guano  was  rich  in  nitrogen,  containing  7  per  cent, 
or  more.  They  usually  contain  7  to  12  per  cent,  phosphoric 
acid,  and  about  i  per  cent,  potash. 

Bones  consist  mostly  of  calcium  phosphate  or  phosphate 
of  lime,  which  constitutes  from  one-half  to  three-fifths  of  the 
weight  of  the  bone.  The  remaining  portion  is  a  soft,  flesh- 
like substance  commonly  called  gelatin.  It  is  distributed 
throughout  the  entire  mass  of  bone,  and  is  rich  in  nitrogen. 


2  2  PLANT    FOOD. 

When  bones  are  burned,  the  nitrogenous  matter  is  driven 
off  and  only  the  mineral  portion  or  phosphate  of  lime  re- 
mains. Bones  such  as  are  used  in  making  commercial 
fertilizers,  contain  4  to  5  per  cent,  of  nitrogen,  and  from  20 
to  25  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid,  about  |  of  which  is  in- 
soluble and  approximately  J  available. 

Bo7ie-Ash  is  made  simply  by  burning  bones  in  the  open 
air.  The  nitrogen  is  lost  in  burning,  and  the  chief  consti- 
tuent is  insoluble  calcium  phosphate,  equivalent  to  30  to  35 
or  more  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid  for  the  most  part 
insoluble. 

Bone-Blacky  known  also  as  bone-charcoal,  is  extensively 
used  in  refining  sugar.  After  it  has  been  used  several  times, 
portions  become  useless  for  refining  purposes,  and  are  then 
sold  as  a  fertilizer.  It  is  made  by  heating  bones  in  closed 
vessels ;  the  fat,  water  and  nitrogen  are  driven  off,  and  the 
bone-black  remaining  consists  mainly  of  insoluble  calcium 
phosphate  and  carbon  or  charcoal.  Good  bone-black  may 
contain  30  or  more  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid  mostly 
insoluble. 

Bone-Meal  goes  under  various  names,  such  as  ground 
bone,  bone-flour,  bone-dust,  etc.  Raw  bone-meal  contains 
the  fat  naturally  present  in  bones.  The  presence  of  the 
fat  is  objectionable,  because  it  retards  the  decomposition  of 
the  bone  in  the  soil,  while  fat  itself  has  no  value  as  plant- 
food.  The  presence  of  easily  decaying  nitrogen  compounds 
in  bone  hastens,  in  the  process  of  decomposition,  to  dissolve 
more  or  less  of  the  insoluble  phosphate.  Bone-meal  should 
contain  from  3  to  5  per  cent,  of  nitrogen,  and  from  20  to  25 


PLANT    FOOD.  23 

per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid  ;  about  one-third  to  one-fourth 
of  the  latter  appears  to  be  in  readily  available  condition. 
Raw  bone-meal  generally  contains  somewhat  more  nitrogen 
(i  or  2  per  cent.)  and  rather  less  phosphoric  acid  than 
steamed  bone-meal.  The  fineness  of  the  meal  affects  its 
value  ;  the  finer  the  meal,  the  more  readily  available  it  is 
for  plant-food. 

Phosphatic  Guanos^  or  Rock  Guanos.  Guanos  generally 
consists  chiefly  of  the  dung  of  sea-fowls,  though  the  term  is 
applied  to  other  animal  products.  They  are  generally 
found  in  beds  resembling  earthy  deposits.  The  guanos 
which  are  called  phosphatic  contain  little  or  no  nitrogen. 
Their  phosphoric  acid  is  generally  in  the  insoluble  form. 
These  guanos  come  mainly  from  certain  islands  in  the 
Pacific  Ocean,  and  from  Caribbean  Sea  and  West  India 
Islands.  The  phosphoric  acid  in  guanos  is  very  variable, 
ranging  from  below  15  to  over  30  per  cent. 

Rock  Phosphates  are  known  under  several  different  names 
which  generally  designate  the  localities  from  which  they 
come,  as  South  Carolina  Rock,  Florida  Rock,  Tennessee 
Rock,  West  India  Rock,  etc.  Other  forms  of  mineral  phos- 
phates are  known  under  the  names  of  apatite,  coprolite,  and 
phosphorite,  which  are  found  in  various  places  in  America 
and  Europe,  and  some  of  which  aie  used  in  making  com- 
mercial fertilizers.  The  rock  phosphates  are  extensively 
used  in  making  acid  phosphates.  When  ground  to  a  very 
fine  flour-like  powder,  rock  phosphates  are  called  '^  floats." 
Rock  phosphates  contain  usually  from  25  to  30  per  cent,  of 
insoluble  phosphoric  acid,  and  some  as  much  as  35  to  40 
per  cent. 


24  PLANT    FOOD. 

Acid  Phosphates  are  known  under  several  different  names, 
such  as  superphosphates,  dissolved  bone,  dissolved  Rock, 
dissolved  bone-black,  etc.  Acid  phosphates  are  formed  by- 
treating  some  form  of  insoluble  phosphate  of  lime,  as  rock- 
phosphate,  bone,  bone-ash,  etc.,  with  sulphuric  acid.  By 
this  treatment  there  are  formed  soluble  phosphate  of  lime 
and  gypsum  (sulphate  of  lime)  in  nearly  equal  proportions. 
Superphosphate  made  from  rock  phosphates  may  contain 
from  T2  to  1 8  per  cent,  of  available  phosphoric  acid. 

Thomas  Slag,  also  known  under  several  other  names, 
such  as  basic  iron  slag,  Thomas  scoria.  Phosphate  slag,  etc. 
It  is  a  by-product  formed  in  the  manufacture  of  iron  and 
steel  from  certain  kinds  of  iron  ore  containing  phosphorus 
compounds.  It  usually  contains  between  19  and  20  per 
cent,  of  total  phosphoric  acid,  with  6  to  7  and  more  per 
cent,  of  available  phosphoric  acid. 

Cotton- Seed-Hull  Ashes  were  produced  in  the  South  at 
the  cotton-seed-oil  factories,  where  the  hulls,  after  being 
removed  from  the  cotton-seed,  were  used  as  fuel.  Such  ashes 
contain  from  15  to  25  per  cent,  of  potash,  in  addition  to 
from  7  to  10  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid.  This  material  is 
not  commonly  found  now. 

Kainit  is  the  most  commonly  imported  product  of  the 
German  potash  mines.  It  is  a  mixture  of  several  different 
compounds,  containing  about  12.5  per  cent,  of  actual  potash 
together  with  about  35  per  cent,  of  common  salt,  also 
magnesia  salts. 

Muriate  of  Potash,  a  manufactured  salt  from  products  of 
the  Stassfurt  mines,  is  the  main  source  of  supply  for  potash 


PLANT    FOOD.  25 

for  commercial  fertilizers  in  our  market,  and  contains  50  to 
53  per  cent,  of  actual  potash. 

Sulphate  of  Potash  is  also  a  manufactured  salt  from  pro- 
ducts of  the  German  mines.  The  product  found  in  the 
market  contains  from  48  to  5 1  per  cent,  of  actual  potash. 

Sulphate  of  Potash-Magnesia  is  known  also  as  double 
manure  salt  or  low  grade  sulphate  of  potash.  This  material 
comes  from  the  German  mines  and  contains  26  to  28  per 
cent,  of  actual  potash.  It  also  contains  32  to  -^6  per  cent,  of 
sulphate  of  magnesia. 

Carbonate  of  Potash-Magnesia  contains  about  18  per  cent, 
potash  and  19  per  cent  magnesia,  both  as  carbonates.  It  is 
practically  free  of  chlorine.  It  is  also  a  product  of  the 
German  potash  mines. 

Wood-Ashes  contain  more  or  less  potash,  which  is  present 
chiefly  in  the  form  of  carbonate.  The  amount  of  potash  in 
commercial  wood-ashes  varies  from  below  4  to  over  7  per 
cent.,  the  average  being  under  5  per  cent.  Wood-ashes  also 
contain  between  i  and  2  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid. 

The  foUov/ing  are  inferior  sources  of  nitrogen.  They 
are  all  very  slowly  available,  and  should  be  used  only  where 
immediate  effects  are  not  sought.  In  some  States  the  fer- 
tilizer laws  either  prohibit  the  use  of  these  substances  in 
fertilizers  or  demand  that  these  goods  shall  be  specified 
when  used  in  making  mixtures. 

Hair  is  obtained  from  slaughter  houses ;  it  is  often 
mixed  with  dried  blood  and  other  forms  of  animal  matter. 
It  contains  about  15  per  cent,  of  nitrogen. 

Hoof-Meal  and  Horn- Dust  are    by-products    containing 


26  PLANT    FOOD. 

lo  to  15  per  cent,  nitrogen  and  about  2  per  cent,  phosphoric 
acid.  .  They  are  sometimes  treated  with  super-heated  steam 
or  with  sulphuric  acid,  the  treatment  rendering  the  nitrogen 
compounds  more  readily  available. 

Leather- Scraps  and  Leather-Meal  are  waste  products  of 
various  factories.  When  treated  with  super-heated  steam 
and  dried  or  roasted,  they  can  be  finely  ground.  They  con- 
tain 7  to  8  per  cent,  nitrogen  which,  however,  is  not  in  a 
readily  available  form. 

FARM-PRODUCED    FERTILIZING    MATERIALS. 

Stable  or  farmyard  manure  consists  of  the  solid  and 
liquid  excrements  of  the  animals  fed  on  the  farm,  mixed 
with  straw  and  waste  products  of  the  farm. 

Horse-Manure  is  difficult  to  mix  thoroughly  with  litter 
on  account  of  its  being  very  dry.  It  is  called  a  ^'hot" 
manure,  because,  on  account  of  its  loose  texture,  it  easily 
undergoes  decomposition  or  fermentation,  producing  a  high 
degree  of  heat.  On  this  account  it  is  very  liable  to  lose 
more  or  less  of  its  nitrogen  in  the  form  of  ammonia. 

Sheep-Manure  is  quite  dry,  and  is  commonly  the  richest 
of  farm  produced  manures.  Like  horse-manure,  it  under- 
goes fermentation  easily  and  is  classed  as  "  hot "  manure 
It  is  similarly  very  liable  to  lose  ammonia. 

Pig-Manure  varies  greatly  in  composition,  but  is  gener- 
ally rich  as  compared  with  other  farm-produced  fertilizer 
materials,  and  contains  considerable  water.  In  decompos- 
ing, it  produces  but  little  heat,  and  is,  therefore,  called  a 
"cold  "  manure. 


PLANT    FOOD.  27 

Cow-Manure  contains,  as  a  rule,  less  fertilizing  materials 
than  any  of  the  preceding  manures.  It  contains  a  large 
amount  of  water,  and,  in  decomposing,  generates  little  heat. 

Poultry -Manure  contains  a  comparatively  large  amount 
of  all  the  different  forms  of  plant-food,  being  especially  rich 
in  nitrogen  and  phosphoric  acid.  It  undergoes  fermentation 
readily,  and  loses  nitrogen  unless  properly  treated  with  ab- 
sorbents or  preservatives. 

Generally  speaking,  manures  produced  from  working  or 
fattening  animals  contain  from  90  to  95  per  cent,  of  the 
fertilizing  constituents  contained  in  the  food.  Manure  made 
from  cows  in  milk  and  young,  growing  animals  contains 
from  50  to  85  per  cent,  of  the  fertilizing  constituents  con- 
tained in  the  food.  In  the  case  of  animals  which  are  neither 
increasing  in  weight,  nor  giving  milk,  the  amount  of  fertil- 
izing materials  in  the  manure  will  be  nearly  equal  to  that 
contained  in  the  food  eaten.  The  foregoing  statements  pre- 
suppose that  all  the  dung  and  urine  are  saved,  a  supposition 
which  is  not  often  true,  considering  the  manner  in  which 
stable-manure  is  commonly  treated. 

Perhaps  the  element  of  manures  least  understood  is  the 
humic  matter,  of  which  ordinary  manures  contain  from  16 
to  20  per  cent.  The  litter  used  in  bedding  stock  furnisho 
much  of  this,  and  the  quantity  depends  upon  the  nature  of 
the  material  used. 


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PLANT   FOOD. 


General  view  of  Fruit  Department,  Experiment  Farm, 
Southern  Pines,  North  Carolina. 


PART   III. 
THE  USE  OF  FERTILIZERS. 

There  is  no  way  to  tell,  without  experiment,  what  food 
constituents  a  soil  lacks.  The  crops  themselves  give  valu- 
able suggestions.  As  a  rule  lack  of  nitrogen  is  indicated 
when  plants  are  pale-green  in  color,  or  when  there  is  small 
growth  of  leaf  or  stalk,  other  conditions  being  favorable. 
A  bright,  deep  green  color,  with  a  vigorous  growth  of  leaf 
or  stalk,  is,  in  case  of  most  crops,  a  sign  that  nitrogen  is  not 
lacking,  but  does  nut  necessarily  indicate  that  more  nitro- 
gen  could  not  be  used  to  advantage.  An  excessive  growth 
of  leaf  or  stalk,  accompanied  by  an  imperfect  bud,  flower, 
and  fruit  development,  indicates  too  much  nitrogen  for  the 
potash  and  phosphoric  acid  present.  When  such  crops  as 
corn,  cabbage,  grass,  potatoes,  etc.,  have  a  luxuriant,  health- 
ful growth,  an  abundance  of  potash  in  the  soil  is  indicated; 
also  when  fleshy  fruits  of  fine  flavor  and  texture  can  be 
successfully  grown.  On  the  contrary,  when  these  plants 
fail  of  a  luxuriant  growth,  or  are  very  low  grade  in  quality, 
it  is  a  certain  indication  that  potash  is  lacking.  When  a 
soil  produces  good,  early  maturing  crops  of  grain,  with 
plump  and  heavy  kernels,  phosphoric  acid  will  not  generally 
be  found  deficient  in  the  soil. 

In  order  to  ascertain  with  greater  certainty  what  fooc 
elements  are  lacking  in  the  soil,  the  surest  way  is  for  each 

33 


34  PLANT    FOOD. 

tarmer  to  do  some  experimenting  on  his  own  soil  and  crops 
Apply  different  kinds  of  fertilizing  materials  in  different 
combinations,  using,  for  example,  potash  compounds  in  one 
place,  phosphoric  acid  compounds  in  another,  nitrogenous 
materials  in  another.  Then  different  combinations  can  be 
made  on  other  portions  of  the  crop.  Some  portions  of  the 
field  can  be  left  without  application  of  any  kind.  The 
result  can  then  be  studied  in  the  yield  of  crop.  In  carrying 
on  such  field  tests,  several  difficulties  may  be  met.  The 
season  may  frequently  be  such  as  to  interfere  seriously  with 
the  favorable  action  of  the  fertilizing  materials  applied. 
Thus,  a  severe  drought  may  counteract  all  other  conditions 
and  prevent  a  satisfactory  yield.  The  difference  of  mechan- 
ical condition  of  the  soil  on  the  same  %rm  or  even  in  the 
same  field  may  prevent  a  fair  comparison  of  the  action  of 
different  kinds  of  fertilizing  materials  and  elements.  But, 
notwithstanding  such  difficulties,  valuable  suggestions  will 
be  gained  from  an  experimental  study  of  one's  soil  through 
the  behavior  of  the  crops. 

PREFERENCES   SHOWN    BY   PLANTS   FOR    DIFFERENT 

FORMS   OF   FOOD. 

It  is  a  fact  of  great  interest  and  importance  that  one 
form  of  a  fertilizing  constituent  is  preferred  by  some  plants 
to  the  same  constituent  in  another  form.  This  preference 
is  indica^ted  by  greater  yield  or  better  quality  of  product  oi 
by  both.  Thus,  wheat  seems  to  give  better  results  when 
nitrogen  is  applied  in  the  form  of  nitrate  of  soda  than  in 
any  other  form.  The  quality  of  tobacco  is  injured  by 
potash  in   the  form   of  muriate  and,  hence,  only  sulphate 


PLANT    FOOD.  35 

should  be  used  for  fertilizing  purposes.  The  quality  of 
sugar  beets  and  of  potatoes  appears  to  be  better  when  sul- 
phate of  potash  is  used. 

HOW   TO    USE    FERTILIZERS. 

While  the  soil  may  contain  certain  quantities  of  fertilizer 
naturally,  in  most  cases  it  will  not  pay  to  give  serious  atten- 
tion to  this  source  of  fertilization.  Farmyard  manure,  and 
similar  refuse  substance  should  always  be  used  with  hoed 
crops,  in  which  case  it  is  plowed  under;  otherwise  it  is  best 
used  as  a  top  dressing.  When  plowed  under,  farm  manures 
should  be  applied  for  fall  plowing,  unless  the  crop  to  be 
grown  covers  the  entire  growing  season,  as,  for  example, 
Indian  corn.  The  fertilizer  in  such  manures  becomes  avail- 
able very  slowly. 

Nitrate  of  soda,  when  used  alone,  should  always  be  ap- 
plied to  growing  crops,  and  for  quick  effects.  For  young 
fruit  trees  or  for  vegetables,  one  or  more  applications  may 
be  made  with  benefit.  Complete  fertilizers  usually  have  a 
small  proportion  of  their  nitrogen  in  the  form  of  nitrate  of 
soda,  and  the  remainder  in  a  less  active  form,  so  that  by  the 
time  the  nitrate  of  soda  is  utilized,  the  other  nitrogenous 
products  become  effective. 

Sulphate  of  ammonia  is  a  quick-acting  nitrogenous  fert 
ilizer,  but  should  be  used  only  when  the  soil  has  been  lately 
limed.  Dried-blood,  dried-fish  and  other  similar  materials 
are  less  active  than  nitrate  of  soda,  but  more  so  than  the 
nitrogen  of  farm  manures.  They  are  generally  used  in 
complete  fertilizers,  and  are  best  plowed  in,  or  drilled  in  at 
seeding  time.     All  forms   of  potash  are  equally  available 


|6  PLANT    FOOD. 

but  should  be  applied  as  early  in  the  season  as  possible, 
even  fall  applications  Lve  advisable,  as  there  is  little  danger 
of  loss  through  drainage.  Lime  aiso  aids  the  effectiveness 
of  potash  salts.  Phosphates  in  the  form  of  "supers"  or 
acid  phosphates,  are  very  quickly  available,  resembling 
nitrate  of  soda  in  this  respect,  though  it  is  hardly  advisable 
to  make  more  than  one  application,  early  in  the  season  or 
at  planting  time.  All  other  forms  of  phosphates  are  bes? 
applied  in  the  fall,  or  very  early  in  the  spring. 

NEEDS    OF    DIFFERENT    CROPS. 

It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  different  crops  need  different 
quantities  of  nitrogen,  potash  and  phosphoric  acid  com- 
pounds. If  we  know  with  a  fair  degree  of  accuracy  how 
many  pounds  of  nitrogen,  potash  and  phosphoric  acid  a 
crop  of  any  kind  w^ill  remove  from  the  soil,  then  we  have 
fairly  definite  knowledge  of  the  amounts  of  different  forms 
of  plant-food  to  apply  to  the  soil  to  insure  a  crop.  If  we 
could  not  depend  upon  the  soil  to  furnish  any  plant-food, 
then,  we  should  use,  at  least,  the  amounts  of  fertilizing  ma- 
terials removed  by  one  crop.  In  the  following  table,  we 
give  the  number  of  pounds  of  nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and 
potash  used  by  different  kinds  of  crops  grown  on  one  acre 
of  land.  In  studying  this  table,  we  must  keep  in  mind  that 
the  figures  do  not  in  every  case  represent  the  amount  of 
plant-food  removed  from  the  soil.  Thus,  with  clovers, 
beans,  peas  and  other  leguminous  crops,  a  portion  of  the 
uitrogen  is  obtained  from  the  air,  and  hence  we  have  need 
to  apply  less  nitrogen  in  the  form  of  fertilizer  than  appears 


PLANT    FOOD. 


3J 


to  be  called  for  by  the  table.  In  the  case  of  fruits,  like 
apples,  pears,  plums,  etc.,  it  will  be  found  safe  often  to 
apply  larger  quantities  than  the  table  calls  for,  because  the 
figures  in  the  table  do  not  indicate  the  demands  made  by 
the  tree  in  increasing  its  growth. 

Table  givjng  the  amounts  of  Fertilizer  ingredients 
(Nitrogen,  Potash  and  Phosphoric  Acid>  CONTAINED 

IN  THE  CROP  FROM   ONE  ACRE. 


CROP. 


Apples 

Barley 

Beans 

Buckwheat  . .  . 

Cabbage 

*Clover,  green. 
Clover,  dry .  . . 

Corn 

Grapes 

Hops .  . . 

Mixed  Hay.  .  . 

Oats ' 

Onions 

Pears 

Peas 

Plums 

Potatoes 

Rye 

Sugar  Beets. .  . 
Timothy  Hay. . 

Tobacco 

Tomatoes 

Turnips 

Wheat 


Yield. 


15  tons 

30  bu. 

30    " 

34     " 
30  tons 


70  bu. 
2  tons 
600  lbs. 


60  bu. 
45,000  lbs 
16  tons 
30  bu. 
8  tons 
200  bu. 

30    " 
15  tons 


1,600  lbs. 

10  tons 
700  bu. 

35    '' 


StraWy  etc. 


2,000  lbs. 
2,700    " 
2,800    " 


15  tons 
2      " 
6,000  lbs. 
'7,000    " 
2,700    " 
5,000    " 
3,200    " 


3,000  lbs. 


1,50c  lbs. 
4,250    " 
6,000     " 
4,000     " 

1,400  stems 


5  tons 
3,000  lbs. 


Nitro- 
s^en. 


39  lbs. 

57  '' 

75  " 
56  " 

200  *' 

130  '' 

82  " 

83  " 
32  " 

84  " 
70  - 

55  " 

72  " 

32  " 

108  *' 

30  *' 

46  '' 

51  '' 

69  " 

89  *' 

76  " 

32  '' 

80  " 

59  " 


Potash. 


60  lbs 

51 

53 

40 

270 

140 

88 

55 

39 

53 

77 
62 

72 
26 

52 
40 

74 

45' 
143 

94 
200 

54 
180 

3T 


Phospkif'ii 

Acid, 


30  lbs 
17 
30 
14 

70 

40 
18 
48 
II 

23 
18 

22 

37 
10 

4 
21 

26 

32 

23 
16 

20 

52 
24 


^Crimson  Clover. 


38 


PLANT    FOOD. 


The  above  table  may  safely  be  used  in  computing  the 
probable  draught  on  the  soil  for  each  of  the  crops  men- 
tioned. It  must  be  understood,  however,  that  for  fruits,  the 
demand  for  fertilizer  for  the  annual  wood  growth,  and  for 
the  leaves  and  pruned  twigs  is  not  included. 


Showijsg  Effect  of  Fertilizers  on  Cow  Peas. — Vine  in  right  hand, 

FROM    unfertilized   PORTION    OF  THE   FIELD;    ViNE   IN   LEFT 

hand,  from  fertilized  part. 
From  Experiment  Farm,   Southern  Pines.  N.  C. 


PART  IV. 
MIXTURES  FOR  DIFFERENT  CROPS. 

In  making  fertilizer  mixtures,  it  was  first  proposed  to 
make  the  ingredients  correspond  to  the  analysis  of  the  plant. 
This  method  was  practiced  for  some  time,  but  it  was  found 
that  there  was  already  in  the  soil  more  or  less  available 
plant-food  and  that  fertilizing  material  was  often  applied 
where  one  or  more  constituents  could  be  omitted  or  reduced 
in  quantity.  It  was  then  suggested  that  soil  analysis  should 
form  the  basis  of  determining  the  needs  of  the  soil  for  dif- 
ferent crops,  but  this  failed  to  produce  satisfactory  results. 
The  formulas  at  present  used  by  many  have  been  based,  in 
part,  upon  the  composition  of  the  plant,  and,  in  part,  upon 
actual  field  tests. 

The  amount  of  nitrogen  called  for  by  analysis  of  plants 

is  generally  reduced,  because  we  can  depend  upon  the  soil 

to  furnish  a  considerable  amount.     In  case  of  leguminous 

crops,  the  amount  of  nitrogen  which  we  need  to  supply  can 

be  reduced  to  a  small  fraction   of  what  the  plant  will  use, 
because  such  crops  can  draw  their  main  supply  of   nitrogen 

from  the  air. 

The  amount  of  soluble  phosphoric  acid  is  ordinarily  in- 
creased above  what  plant  analysis  calls  for,  because  the 
solubility  is  more  or  less  decreased  after  tlie  feriilizer  comes 
in  contact  with  the  soil. 

39 


40  PLANT    FOOD. 

The  formulas  given  in  the  pages  following  have  been 
drawn  fiom  such  various  sources  as  could  be  considered 
reliable.  The  materials  which  are  given  for  use  are  as- 
sumed to  have  a  fairly  definite  composition,  and  calculations 
are  based  on  the  following  composition  : 

(i)  Nitrate  of  soda,  containing  i6  per  cent,  of  nitrogen. 

(2)  Dried-blood,  containing  10  per  cent,  of  nitrogen. 

(3)  Sulphate  of  ammonia,  containing  20  per  cent,  of 
nitrogen. 

(4)  Bone-meal,  containing  20  per  cent,  of  total  phos- 
phoric acid  (one  half  being  calculated  as  available  during 
first  season  of  application)  also  containing  4  per  cent,  of 
nitrogen. 

Whenever  bone-meal  is  used  in  a  mixture,  allowance 
should  be  made  for  its  nitrogen,  and  so  much  less  of  other 
forms  of  nitrogen  materials  used. 

(5)  Dissolved  bone,  containing  15  per  cent,  of  available 
phosphoric  acid,  and  3  per  cent,  of  nitrogen. 

(6)  Acid  phosphate,  containing  12  per  cent,  of  available 
phosphoric  acid. 

(7)  Muriate  of  potash,  containing  50  per  cent,  of  potash. 

(8)  Sulphate  of  potash,  containing  50  per  cent,  of  potash. 

(9)  Kainit,  containing  12  to  13  per  cent,  of  potash. 

In  the  directions  for  making  equivalent  fertilizers,  it  will 
be  noticed  that  under  each  head  of  nitrogen,  potash,  or 
phosphoric  acid,  three  separate  sources  of  supply  are  given. 
Any  one  of  these  three  may  be  used,  depending  on  th*!; 
home  supply  or  the  state  of  the  market,  as  each  one  supplies 
the  same  quantity  of  actual  fertilizer;  but  it  will  be  well  to 
examine  carefully  the  remarks  given  earlier  in  this  book  as 


PLAINT    FOOD.  ^i 

to  the  fertilizer  functions  of  the  three  chief  fertilizer  ingre- 
dients, and  decide  from  the  nature  of  the  crop  to  be  grown 
whether  a  quick-acting  fertilizer  is  needed,  or  if  a  more 
slow- acting  fertilizer  is  desirable.  For  crops  growing 
throughout  a  long  season,  it  is  better  to  use  a  portion  ol 
the  nitrogen  from  a  quick-acting  source  like  nitrate  of  soda 
and  a  portion  from  a  slow-acting  source,  as  tankage,  dried- 
blood  or  bone-meal. 

ALFALFA. 
Use  per  acre  from  400  to  800  pounds  of  the  following 
fertilizer : 

Nitrogen i  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid . .     8         " 
Potash ,..  10         " 

Instead  of  the  above,  the  following  materials  may  be 
used,  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

{  (i)  30  to  60  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen •<  (2)  25  to  50    "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(  (3)  5°  t^  ^°°  "    dried-blood. 

.      .,  ,  ,  (  (i)  300  to  600  lbs.  bone-meal,  or 

PhoVoWic  Acid  \  (')  '°^  ^°  400    -    dissolved  bone,  or 
1  hosphonc  Acid  ^  ^^^  ^^^  ^^  ^^^    «    ^^j^  phosphate. 

(  (i)     80  to  160  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash <•  •]  (2)     80  to  160    "    sulphate,  or 

((3)  325  to  650    **    kainit. 

SuggcSitons.  Like  clover,  alfalfa  needs  only  small  ap- 
plications of  nitrogen,  because  it  can  obtain  nitrogen 
from  the   air.     A  liberal  supply  of    phosphoric    acid    and 


^2  PLANT    FOOD. 

potash  compounds  needs  to  be  applied  from  time  to  time, 
the  application  being  made  preferably  in  the  fall  or  early 
winter.  Lime  needs  to  be  present  in  the  soil  in  liberal  pro- 
portions. When  deficient,  it  can  be  applied  in  the  form  of 
ground  limestone,  chalk  or  marl  at  the  rate  of  one  to  three 
tons  an  acre,  and  preferably  two  or  three  years  before  sow- 
ing crop. 

APPLES. 

For  an  apple  orchard,  an  annual  top-dressing  of  400  to 

800  pounds  is  necessary  of  a  fertilizer  as  follows : 

Nitrogen 2  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. .     8         ** 
Potash 12         " 

Instead  of  the  above,  the  following  materials  may  be 
used,  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  j)er  acre. 

i)  50  to  100  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen -^(2)  40  to    80    **    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

3)  80  to  160    "    dried-blood. 

i)  300  to  600  lbs.  bone-meal,  or 

2)  200  to  400    "    dissolved  bone,  or 

3)  250  to  500    **    acid  phosphate. 

i)  100  to  200  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash -^  (2)  100  to  200    "    sulphate,  or 

3)  400  to  800    '*    kainit. 

Suggestions.  Excessive  application  of  nitrogen  com- 
pounds to  apple  orchards  is  to  be  avoided,  because  it  favors 
rank  growth  of  trees  at  the  expense  of  fruit.  Fruit  trees  in 
bearing  require  annual  application  of  fertilizers  for  best 
results. 


Available        \ 
Phosphoric  Acid  ^ 


PLANT    FOOD.  43 

ASPARAGUS. 

As  a  fertilizer,  use  per  acre  from  400  to  800  pounds  of 
the  following : 

Nitrogen 5  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. .     7         " 
Potash 9         " 

Instead  of  the  above,  the  following  materials  may  be 
used,  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen^ 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

Nitrogen  -i  ^^^  *^°  ^^  ^^o  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

°      (  (2)  200  to  400    "    dried-blood. 

Available         (  ^^^  300  to  600  lbs.  bone-meal,  or 
Phosphoric  Acid  j  (^)  ^°°  ^"^  400    ;;    dissolved  bone,  or 
(  (3)  250  to  500  acid  phosphate. 

i  (i)     70  to  140  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash ■<  (2)     70  to  140    "    sulphate,  or 

(  (3)  3°o  to  600    "    kainit. 

Suggestions.  Stable-manure  may  be  applied  every  two 
or  three  years  in  the  fall  after  removing  plants,  and  also 
every  year  a  dressing  of  phosphoric  acid  and  potash„ 
Nitrate  of  soda  is  applied  to  best  advantage  in  the  springs 
just  as  the  shoots  begin  to  appear. 

BARLEY. 

Use  per  acre  500  to  1000  lbs.  of  a  fertilizer  as  follows  • 

Nitrogen 4  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. .      7         ** 
Potash 8         " 

Instead  of  the   above,   the   following  materials   may  bt 


4* 


PLANT    FOOD, 


used,  which  will  furnish   equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively. 

Pounds  materials  per  acre, 

{  (i)     75  to  150  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
Kiirogen. ...... -j  (2)     50  to  100    "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(  (3)  125  to  250    **    dried-blood. 

Available         ( (^)  ^^^  Jo  400  lbs.  bone-meal   or 
Phosphoric  Acid  )  ^^^  ^5°  to  300         dissolved  bone,  or 
((3)   175^0350    ^*    acid  phosphate, 

i  (i)     50  to  100  lbs,  muriate,  or 

Potash •]  (2)     50  to  100    "    sulphatCj  01 

( (3)  200  to  400    *'    kainit. 

Suggestions.     Excess   of    nitrogen    as    found    in   stable 

manure  is  to  be  avoided,  because  the  quality  of  the  grair 

may  be  injured. 

BEANS. 

Use  per  acre  500  to  1000  pounds  of  the  following . 

Nitrogen , i  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. .      7         " 
Potash ..... . 9         " 

Instead  of  the  above,   the  following  materials  may  be 

lasedj  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

^  (i)  30  to     60  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen •]  (2)  25  to     50    "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  01 

( (3)  50  to  100    **    dried-biGod. 

Avj^n^Klf.  (  (^^  250  to  500  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

PhosDhoric  Acid  1  (')  '^°  '^  400    *'    dissolved  bone,  or 
Phosphoric  Acid  ^  ^^^  ^^^  ^^  ^^^    .,    bone-meal. 

(i)     70  to  140  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash.*. "{(2)     70  to  140    "    sulphate,  or 

(3)  300  to  600    "    kainit. 


PLANT    FOOD.  4| 

Suggestions.  The  formula  given  above  applies  to  beams 
grown  for  the  seeds.  When  beans  are  grown  to  be  eaten 
green,  as  for  string  beans,  three  or  four  times  as  much 
nitrogen  should  be  applied,  as  for  example,  loo  to  2©© 
pounds  of  nitrate  of  soda  for  one  acre;  this  is  applied  pr@= 
ferably  in  three  or  four  portions  at  different  times  rather 
than  all  at  once.  The  extra  application  of  nitrogen  will 
develop  the  foliage  and  pods  and  retard  ripening. 

BEETS-GARDEN. 

Use  per  acre  from  500  to  1,000  pounds  of  a  fertilli^f 
analyzing  as  follows : 

Nitrogen 5  per  cent= 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. .     6         " 
Potash 9         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  'b% 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogeiL 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

i{i)  120  to  240  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  os 

Nitrogen ,  \i?)  100  to  200    "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  o? 

( (3)  200  to  400    "    dried-blood. 

Available         (  ^^^  ^°°  ^^  4°°  ^^^-  ^^'^^  phosphate,  o? 
Phosphoric  Acid  1  (\)  ^75  to  350    -    dissolved  bone,  01 
(  (3)  250  to  500    "    bone-meal, 

I  (i)     70  to  140  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash -|  (2)     70  to  140    "    sulphate,  or 

(  (3)  300  to  600    "    kainit. 

Sugget^Jions.  When  beets  are  grown  for  sugar,  potash  it 
^n  ferably  used  in  the  form  of  sulphate.     In  growing  beeti 


46  PLANT    FOOD. 

for  garden  or  feeding  purposes,  somewhat  less  nitrogen  can 
be  used. 

BLACKBERRIES. 

Use   per  acre  500  to   1,000  pounds  of  a  fertilizer  con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 3  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid..     6         " 
Potash 8 

Instead   of  the  above   the  following  materials  may  be 

used  which  will   furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen. 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

r  (i)  100  to  200  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen •]  (2)     75  to  150    '*    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(  (3)  ^5°  to  300    "    dried-blood. 

.      -1  ui  (  (i)  250  to  500  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

oi.  ^'^l^^^y^    .  ,  \  (2)  200  to  400    "    dissolved  bone,  or 
Phosphoric  Acid  ^  ^^^  ^^^  ^^  ^^^    ,,    bone-meal. 

(  (i)     80  to  160  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash -<  (2)     80  to  160    "    sulphate,  or 

( (3)  3°o  to  600    "    kainit. 

BUCKWHEAT. 

Use  per  acre  350  to  700  pounds  of  a  fertilizer  containing 

Nitrogen 4  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid..     8         " 
Potash 9         '* 

Instead  of  the  above,  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 


PLANT    FOOD. 


47 


Pounds  materials  per  acre. 
i  (i)     90  to  180  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen •<  (2)     75  to  150    "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(  (3)  150  to  300    "    dried-blood. 


Available 
Phosphoric 


,  .  r  (i)  250  to  500  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

•    ^   '^q  i  (^)  ^°°  ^°  4°*^    "    dissolved  bone,  or 
ic  Acid  ^^^^  ^^^  ^Q  g^^    u    bone-meal. 

r  (i)     70  to  140  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash •<  (2)     70  to  140    '*    sulphate,  or 

(  (3)  30^  to  600    "    kainit. 

CABBAGE. 

Use  per  acre  from  1,000  to  2,000  pounds  of  fertilizer 
containing : 

Nitrogen 4  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid..     7         " 

Potash 9         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 
i)  250  to  500  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen.  , "{  (^)  ^°*^  ^^  4°*^    "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

400  to  800 


Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 

Potash 


dried-blood. 

600  to  1200  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  0/ 
500  to  1000    *'    dissolved  bone,  0/ 
700  to  1400    **    bone-meal. 


180  to    360  lbs.  muriate,  or 
180  to    360    "    sulphate,  or 
700  to  1400    *'    kainit. 


CARROTS. 

Use  per  acre  from  500  to   1000  pounds  of  a  fertilizer 
containing : 


48  PLANT    FOOD. 

Nitrogen 3  per  cent: 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid..     7         " 
Potash 8 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  oe 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

90  to  180  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
75  to  150    "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 
150  to  300    "    dried-blood. 


Available         j  Y 
Phosphoric  Acid  1  ^ 

Potash.. .  -5(2 

((3 


300  to  600  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 
250  to  500    ''    dissolved  bone,  or 
350  to  700    "    bone-meal. 

80  to  160  lbs.  muriate,  or 
80  to  160    "    sulphate,  or 
300  to  600    ''    kainit. 


Sug^^estions.     When  stable-manure  is  used,  it  is  preferably 
applied  to  the  land  the  preceding  year. 

CELERY. 

Use  per  acre  from  800   to   1600   pounds  of  a  fertilizer 
containing; 

Nitrogen 5  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. .     6         " 
Potash 8         " 

Instead  of  the  above   the  following  materials  may  be 

used  which  will  furnish   equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre, 

{  (i)  250  to  500  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen ■!  (2)  200  to  400    "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(  (3)  400  to  800    "    dried-blood. 


PLANT    FOOD.  49 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

A      •]  hi  (  (^^  4°°  ^^     ^°°  ^^^*  ^^^^  phosphate,  or 

T^,         ,      .     A    -J  K  (2)   ^So  to     700    "    dissolved  bone,  or 
Phosphoric  Acid  I  ^^j  ^^^  ^^  ^^^^    ..    bone-meal. 

r  (i)  130  to     260  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash •<  (2)  130  to     260    "    sulphate,  or 

(  (3)  5°^  to  1000    **    kainit. 

Suggestions.  On  muck  soils  the  amount  of  nitrogen  may 
be  decreased  and  that  of  potash  increased.  The  direct  ap- 
plication of  stable-manure  has  been  found  often  to  produce 
rusty  celery. 

CHERRIES. 

The  fertilizer  application  should  be  from  500  to  looc 
pounds  per  acre,  of  a  fertilizer  containing  : 

Nitrogen 2  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. .     7         " 
Potash 9         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

i(i)     60  to  120  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
(2)     50  to  100    '*    sulph.  of  ammo.,  01 
(3)  100  to  200    "    dried-blood. 

.      •!  v,i  (  (0  300  to  600  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

iDu     A\.     •     \    -^  \  (2)  2C50  to  c;oo    "    dissolved  bone,  or 
Phosphoric  Acid  y  )  {     ^    ^    ^         a    u  1 

(  (3)  35^  to  700    "    bone-meal. 

C  (i)     90  to  180  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash ^{2)     90  to  180    "    sulphate,  or 

((3)  350  to  700    "    kainit. 


50 


PLANT    FOOD. 


The  application  per  tree,  depending  on  whether  light  or 
heavy  bearing  may  be  expected,  would  be  as  follows  : 

Pounds  materials  per  tree. 

{  (i)  -J  to  I  lb.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen •<  (2)  -^  to  i    ''    sulph.  of  ammonia,  or 

(  (3)   T  to  2    "    dried-blood. 


Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 


Potash , 


(i)  3    to  6  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

(2)  2\  to  5     "    dissolved  bone,  or 

(3)  3i  ^<^  7     *'    bone-meal. 

(i)   I     to  2  lbs.  muriate,  or 

(2)  I    to  2     "    sulphate,  or 

(3)  Z\  to  7     "    kainit. 


CLOVER. 

Fertilizer  for  Clover,  same  as  for  Alfalfa. 


CORN, 


Use  per  acre  500  to  1000  pounds  of  a  fertilizer  con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 2  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid  . .  7         " 

Potash 6         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively: 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

60  to  120  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
50  to  100    "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 


(I 

Nitrogen \{2 

(3 


Available 


W 


(2 


100  to  200 


dried-blood. 


300  to  600  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  01 
250  to  500    "    dissolved  bone,  or 


Phosphoric  Acid  ]|^^^  ^^^^^^^^    a    bone-meal 


PLANT    FOOD.  ^I 

(i)     60  to  120  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash •{  (2)     60  to  120     ''     sulphate,  or 

(3)  250  to  500    •'     kainit. 

Suggestions.  The  nitrogen  may  be  applied  to  advantage 
tn  the  form  of  stable-manure,  especially  if  the  soil  is  at  all 
lacking  in  humus.  For  sweet  corn,  somewhat  larger 
-amounts  of  nitrogen  may  be  applied. 

CUCUMBERS 

Use  at  the  rate  of  750  to  1500  pounds  per  acre  01  the 
following  fertilizer  : 

Nitrogen 4  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid  . .     6       *' 
Potash 8       " 

Instead  of  the   above    the  following  materials  may  be 

used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen^ 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

i  (1)   180  to  360  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen -j  (2)   150  to  300     '•    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(  (3)  30°  to  600     ''    dried-blood. 

Available  ( (i)  400  to    800  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

Phosphoric    Acid  -<  (2)  350  to    700    '*     dissolved  bone,  or 
((3)  500  to  1000    "     bone-meal. 

f(i)   130  to     260  lbs.  muriate,  or 
Potash -<(2)  130  to    260    "     sulphate,  or 

((3)  500  to  1000    "     kainit. 

Suggestions,  Too  much  nitrogen  is  to  be  avoided,  as 
there  will  be  a  tendency  to  excessive  growth  of  vines,  and 
the  fruit  will  be  less  firm  and  more  likely  to  decay.  Sul- 
phate of  ammonia  will  often  give  better  results  than  the 


52  PLANT    FOOD. 

more  quickly  acting  nitrate  of  soda,  as  the  period  of  growth 
will  be  longer  and  the  yield  larger.  Stable-manure,  when 
used,  is  preferably  applied  in  fall,  followed  by  sulphate  of 
ammonia  in  the  spring.  The  phosphoric  acid  may  be 
applied,  one-half  in  the  fall  and  the  rest  in  the  spring, 

CURRANTS. 

Use    per   acre   500  to   1000  pounds  of  a  fertilizer  con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen. , 2  per  cent, 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid, .      5       " 
Potash _ 8       " 

Instead  of  the   above  the  following  materials  may  be 

used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre, 
( (i)     60  to  120  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen -<  (2)     50  to  100     **     sulph.  of  ammo.,  01 

( (3)  100  to  200     "     dried-blood. 

Available  ^(i)  200  to  400  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

Phosphoric  Acid   -<(2)  17510350    "     dissolved  bone,  of 
((3)  250  to  500    "    bone-meal. 


(  (i)     80  to  160  lbs.  muriate,  or 


Potash •<  (2)     80  to  160     **     sulphate,  or 

((3)  32010640    "    kainit 

EGG    PLANTS 

Use  per  acre  1,000  to  2,000  pounds  of  a  fertilizer,  cob 

taining  : 

Nitrogen 4  per  cent 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid..     5         ** 
Potash 9         " 


PLANT    FOOD.  53 

Instead  of  the   above  the   following  materials   may  be 

used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

240  to  480  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
200  to  400     "     sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 
400  to  800     "     dried-blood. 


(i 

Nitrogen.......    -{(2 

(3 

Available  i  (i 

Phosphoric    Acid  \  (2 

((3 

Potash •<  (2 

((3 


400  to  800  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 
350  to  700  "  dissolved  bone,  or 
500  to  1000    *'    bone-meal. 

180  to    360  lbs.  muriate,  or 
180  to    360    "     sulphate,  or 
700  to  1400    "     kainit. 


FLAX. 

Use  per  acre  325  to  650  pounds  of  a  fertilizercontaining  : 

Nitrogen ,  . . . .      3  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. .      8         " 
Potash 9         *' 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively r^ 

Pounds  materials  per  acre, 

(  (i)     60  to  120  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen •]  (2)     50  to  100     "    sulph.  of  ammo,  or 

(  (3)   100  to  200     "    dried-blood. 

Available  (  (i)   200  to  400  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

Phosphoric  Acid  \  (2)   175  to  350     ''     dissolved  bone,  or 
(  (3)  250  to  500     "     bone-meal. 

i  (i)     60  to  120  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash -^(2)     60  to  120    *'     sulphate,  or 

(  (3)   250  to  500    "     kainit. 


^4  PLANT    FOOD. 

GOOSEBERRIES. 

Fertilizer  for  Gooseberries,  same  as  for  Currants. 

GRAPES. 

Use  per  acre  from  400  to  800  pounds  of  the  following 
fertilizer : 

Nitrogen 2  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid  0.8         " 
Potash II         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 


"^11 


^•fi^lL        ^  y 


-r 


Grapes,  unfertilized. — Experiment  Farm, 
Southern  Pines,  N.  C. 


i>LANT    FOOD. 


55 


Grapes,  with  medium  fertiliza.tion. — Experiment  Farm. 
Southern  Pines,  N.  C. 


Grapes,  with  heavy  fertilization — Experiment  Farm, 
Southern  Pines,  N.  C. 


56 


PLANT    FOOD. 


Nitrogen. 


Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 


Potash. 


Pounds  materials  per  acre. 
50  to  100  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
40  to    80    ''     sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 
80  to  160    "     dried-blood. 

250  to  500  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  01 
200  to  400    '*     dissolved  bone,  or 
300  to  600    "     bone-meal. 

90  to  180  lbs.  muriate,  or 
90  to  180    "     sulphate,  or 
350  to  700    ''     kainit. 

Suggestions,  Much  of  the  nitrogen  can  be  supplied  by 
growing  clover  between  the  rows  and  turning  under.  Ex- 
cessive  use  of  stable-manure  is  believed  to  produce  a  growth 
of  weakened  vitality,  not  able  readily  to  withstand  attacks 
of  fungous  diseases.  Once  in  a  few  years,  lime  may  be 
applied  to  advantage. 

GRASS    FOR    PASTURES. 

Use  per  acre  from  750  to  1,500  pounds  of  the  following 
fertilizer :  . 

Nitrogen 2  per  cent. 

Available   Phosphoric  Acid..      8         " 
Potash 10         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 
(i)     90  to  180  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen \{?)     75  to  150    ''    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(3)   150  to  300    "    dried-blood. 


Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 


(i)   250  to  500  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

(2)  200  to  400    "    dissolved  bone,  o* 

(3)  300  to  600    "    bone-meal. 


PLANT    FOOD,  57 

(  (i)     80  to  160  lbs.  muriate,  or 
Potash •<  (2)     80  to  160     "    sulphate,  or 

(  (3)   275  to  550     "    kainit. 

Suggestions.  It  is  probable  that  the  droppings  from 
animals  will  furnish  most  of  the  nitrogen  needed,  but  pains 
should  be  taken  occasionally  to  run  some  kind  of  smooth- 
ing harrow  over  the  ground  to  distribute  the  droppings 
evenly. 

GRASS    FOR    LAWNS. 

Use  400  to  800  pounds  per  acre  of  the  following 
fertilizer  : 

Nitrogen 5  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid..      6         '' 
Potash 8 

Instead    of   the    above  the  following  materials  may  be 

used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 
i  (i)   120  to  240  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen i  (2)   100  to  200    "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

( (3)  200  to  400    "    dried-blood. 

Available  (  (i)   200  to  400  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

Phosphoric  Acid  I  (2)    175  to  350    "    dissolved  bone,  or 
(  (3)   250  to  500    "    bone-meal. 

r  (i)     60  to  120  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash •]  (2)     60  to  1 20    "    sulphate,  or 

(  (3)   250  to  500    ''     kainit. 

Suggestions.  As  a  more  specific  mixture,  we  suggest  the 
following  :  100  lbs,  nitrate  of  soda,  100  lbs.  bone-meal,  100 
lbs.  acid  phosphate,  and  100  lbs.  muriate  of  potash  per  acre. 


^8  PLANT    FOOD. 

GRASS    FOR    MEADOWS. 

Use  from  375  to  750  lbs.  per  acre  of  the  following 
fertilizer : 

Nitrogen 4  per  cent. 

Available    Phosphoric  Acid..      7         ** 
Potash 9         " 

Instead  of  the   above  the   following  materials   may  be 

used  which  will   furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively: 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 
{  (i)     90  to  180  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen i  (2)     75  to  150    "     sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(  (3)   150  to  300    "     dried-Lflood. 

Available  i  (i)   250  to  500  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

Phosphoric  Acid  •<  (2)   200  to  400    "    dissolved  bone,  or 
(  (3)  300  to  600    "    bone-meal. 

^  (i)     70  to  140  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash •]  (2)     70  to  140    "    sulphate,  or 

((3)  275  to  550    "    kainit. 

Suggestions.  The  fact  cannot  be  too  strongly  emphasized 
that  meadows  from  which  grass  is  cut  year  after  year  should 
be  regularly  fertilized  every  year  in  a  liberal  manner. 

HOPS. 

Use    per    acre    650    to    1,300    pounds    of    a    fertilizer 

containing : 

Nitrogen 3  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. . .      6         " 
Potash 12         " 

Instead  of   the   above  the   following  materials  may  be 

used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen. 

ph.')sphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 


PLANT    FOOD. 


59 


Nitrogen .... 

Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 


Potash. 


Pounds  materials  per  acre. 
i)  1 20  to  240  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

2)  100  to  200    **    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

3)  200  to  400    "    dried-blood. 

i)  275  to  550  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  01 

2)  250  to  500    '*    dissolved  bone,  01 

3)  350  to  700    "     bone-meal. 

i)  200  to    400  lbs.  muriate,  or 

2)  200  to    400    "    sulphate,  or 

3)  800  to  1600    ''    kainit. 

LETTUCE. 


Use    per    acre    800    to    1,600    pounds    of    a    fertilizer 

containing  : 

Nitrogen 5  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. .     6         " 
Potash 9         " 

Instead   of  the   above   the   following   materials   may  be 

used  which  will  furnish   equivalent   quantities  of  nitrogen, 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 

Founds  materials  per  acre. 
i)  250  to  500  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
'2)  200  to  400    '^    sulph.  of  ammo  ,  or 
^3)  400  to  800     "    dried-blood. 


Nitrogen. 


Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 


Potash. 


i)  400  to    800  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

2)  350  to    700    "    dissolved  bone,  or 

3)  500  to  1000    "    bone-meal. 

i)   150  to    300  lbs.  muriate,  01 

2)  150  to    300    "    sulphate,  01 

3)  600  to  1200    "    kainit. 

Suggestions.  When  lettuce  is  grown  under  glass,  use 
about  half  as  much  nitrogen  and  a  half  more  phosphoric 
acid  and  potash  than  indicated  above. 


DO  PLANT    FOOD. 

LUCERNE. 

Fertilizer  for  Lucerne,  same  as  for  Alfalfa. 

NURSERY    STOCK. 

Use    per    acre    325     to    650    pounds   of   the    following 
fertilizer : 

Nitrogen 3  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid..      6         " 
Potash .      7         " 

Instead  of  the  above   the   following  materials   may  be 

used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively. 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

60  to  120  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
50  to  100     "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 


(( 

Nitrogen •<  ( 

((3) 


Available  {.  (i 

Phosphoric  Acid  -<  (2 

((3 

Potash ■<  (2 

((3 


100  to  200     "    dried-blood. 

200  to  400  lbs,  acid  phosphate,  or 
175  -^  ZS'^     "    dissolved  bone,  or 
250  to  500     "    bone-meal. 

60  to  120  lbs.  muriate,  or 
60  to  120     "    sulphate,  or 
240  to  480     "    kainit. 


Suggestions.     Excess  of  nitrogen    produces  a  rapid  but 
Wwak  growth  of  wood. 

OATS. 
On  average  soils,  it  would  be  best  to  give  oats  300  to  600 
pounds  per  acre  of  a  fertilizer  containing: 

Nitrogen 4  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid..      6         '* 
Potash 9         " 

Instead  of  the  above   the   following  materials   may  be 


PLANT    FOOD. 


6l 


used  which  will  furnish  equivalent   quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

75  to  150  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
60  to  120     "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

120  to  240     " 


Nitrogen -<  (2 

((3 


Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 


Potash. 


dried-blood. 

160  to  320  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

140  to  280  "    dissolved  bone,  or 

(3)  200  to  400  "    bone-meal. 

60  to  120  lbs.  muriate,  or 

60  to  120  "    sulphate,  or 

250  to  500  "    kainit. 

ONIONS. 


Use  per  acre  900  to  1,800  pounds  of  a  fertilizer  con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 5  per  cent. 

Available   Phosphoric  Acid..     6         " 
Potash 9         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

(i)  270  to  540  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
225  to  450     "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 
450  to  900 


Nitrogen •<{  (2 

(3 


Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 


Potash. 


(I 

(2 

(3 

(I 
(2 
(3 


dried-blood. 

450  to  900  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 
385  to  770  "  dissolved  bone,  or 
550  to  1 100     "    bone-meal. 

160  to  320  lbs.  muriate,  or 
160  to  320  "  sulphate,  or 
650  to  1300     "    kainit. 


52  PLANT    FOOD. 

Suggestio?is.  Fresh  stable-manure  is  to  be  avoided  on 
account  of  weed-seeds  and  also  a  tendency  to  favor  the 
growth  of  onion-maggots.  Stable-manure  is  preferably 
used  in  soil  two  years  before  planting  onions.  An  excess 
of  nitrogen  delays  the  ripening  and  injures  the  keeping 
qualities  of  the  onions. 

PARSNIPS, 

Use  per  acre  650  to  1,300  pounds  of  a  fertilizer  as 
follows ; 

Nitrogen 3  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid..     9         '* 
Potash 8 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen^ 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively. 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 
{  (i)   120  to  240  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
Nitrogen, ....  ...s  (2)   100  to  200     "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(  (3)  200  to  400     "    dried-blood. 

Available  (  (i)  450  to    900  lbs,  acid  phosphate,  01 

Phosphoric  Acid  •<  (2)  375  to    750     "    dissolved  bone,  or 
(  (3)  S'S^  ^^  1 100     "    bone-meal 

[  (i)   100  to  200  lbs,  muriate,  or 

Potash *j  (2)   100  to  200     "    sulphate,  or 

(  (3)  400  to  800     "    kainit. 

Suggestions -_  Stable-manure,  when  used,  is  preferably 
applied  the  preceding  year. 

PEACHES. 

Use  750  to   1500  pounds  per  acre  of  a  fertilizer  con 
taining? 


PLANT    FOOD.  6;^ 

Nitrogen 2  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid  . .      5  " 

Potash 7         " 

Instead   of  the   above   the   following   materials  may  be 

osed  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively ; 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

r(i)     90  to  180  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen -(2)     75  to  150    "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

((3)   15010300    **    dried-blood. 

Available         )  ^^^  320  to  640  ibs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

xy-u       I,     •     A    'J  r  (2)  280  to  c;6o    **    dissolved  bone,  or 
Phosphoric  Acid  (  )  (  .     %         ^^    .  ,         * 

)  (3)  400  to  800    "    bone-meaL 

1  (i)   no  to  220  lbs.  muriate,  or 
Potash..,,....,  >■  (2)   no  to  220    "    sulphate,  or 
)  (3)  45°  to  900    "    kainit. 

Suggestions.  Much  of  the  nitrogen  may  be  furnished  by 
raising  leguminous  crops  between  the  rows  of  trees  and 
turning  under  for  green-manure.  It  is  claimed  that  large 
applications  of  potash  enable  the  trees  more  readily  to 
withstand  the  disease  known  as  *'Peach  Yellows/* 

PEARS. 

Fertilizer  for  Pears,  same  as  for  Apples. 

PEAS. 

Fertilizer  for  Peas,  same  as  for  Beans. 
Suggestio7is.     When   peas  are  raised  for  picking  green^ 
larger  amounts  of  nitrate  of  soda  may  be  used  to  advantage 

PLUMS. 

Fertilizer  for  Plums,  same  as  for  Cherries. 


64 


PLANT    FOOD. 


Peaches.  — Unfertilized. 


_>«; — -^y^--^^^-  .  r- 


Peaches. — Fertilized  with  Potash,  Phosphoric  Acid  and  Nitrogen. 
Experiment  Farm,  Southern  Pines,  N.  C. 


PLANT    FOOD.  65 

POTATOES    (Sweet  or  White) 

For  general  purposes  use  per  acre  750  to  1500  pounds 
of  a  fertilizer  containing  : 

Nitrogen 4  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid  . .  6         *' 

Potash 9         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

r  (t)   180  to  360  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen i  (2)   150  to  300     "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

( (3)  300  to  600     "    dried-blood. 

Available  ^  (i)  325  to    650  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

Phosphoric   Acid  \  (2)  275  to    550     "    dissolved  bone,  or 
( (3)  400  to    800     "    bone-meal. 

i  (i)   130  to    260  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash -<  (2)   130  to    260     "    sulphate,  or 

((3)  520  to  1040     "    kainit. 

Suggestions.  The  use  of  stable-manure  appears  to  favor 
the  growth  of  potato-scab.  When  used,  stable-manure 
should  be  applied  to  a  preceding  crop.  Wood-ashes  are  also 
reported  to  favor  the  attack  of  the  scab.  It  is  commonly 
held  that  sulphate  of  potash  produces  potatoes  of  better 
quality  than  does  muriate.  The  testimony  on  this  point  is 
conflicting. 

RADISHES. 

A  good  fertilizer  for  radishes  per  acre  is  50c  to  1,000 
pounds  of  the  following  mixture  : 


66 


PLANT    FOOD. 


Potatoes,  —  Unfertilized.     Experiment  Farm, 
Southern  Pines.  N.  C. 


Potatoes. — Fertilized  with  Potash,  Phosphoric  Acid  and  Nitro- 
gen.    Experiment  Farm,  Southern  Pines,  N.  C. 


PLANT    FOOD. 


67 


Sweet  Potatoes, — Unfertilized.     Experiment  Farm, 
Southern  Pines,  N.  C. 


Sweet  Potatoes. — Fertilized  with  Potash,  Phosphoric  Acid  and 
Nitrogen.     Experiment  Farm,  Southern  Pines,  N.  C. 


68  PLANT    FOOD. 

Nitrogen 3  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid . .     7         ** 

Potash. . , 9         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively  : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

(  (i)     90  to  180  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen -j  (2)     75  to  150     '•    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(  (3)   J 5°  to  300     "    dried-blood. 

Available  (  (i)   280  to  560  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

Phosphoric  Acid  -J  (2)   250  to  500     "    dissolved  bone,  or 
(  (3)  35°  to  7*^°     "    bone-meal. 

i  (i)     90  to  180  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash -1(2)     90  to  180     "    sulphate,  or 

(  (3)  ZS^  to  700     "    kainit. 

RASPBERRIES. 

Use  600  to  1,200  pounds  per  acre  of  a  fertilizer  con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 2  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid. . .     7         ** 
Potash 10         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 
(  (^)     75  to  150  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen S  (2)     60  to  120     "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(  (3)  120  to  240     "    dried-blood. 

Available  T  (i)  320  to  640  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

Phosphoric  Acid  -<  (2)  280  to  560     '*    dissolved  bone,  or 
(  (3)  400  to  800     "    bone-meal. 


PLANT    FOOD.  69 

Pounds  materials  per  acre, 

(i)  120  to  240  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash "^(2)  120  to  240     "    sulphate,  or 

(3)  480  to  960     "    kainit. 

RYE. 

Fertilizer  for  Rye,  same  as  for  Oats. 
Suggestions.      Nitrogen    is   preferable    in    the    form   of 
nitrate  of  soda  rather  than  stable-manure.     Excessive  use 
of  nitrogen  should  be  avoided. 

SORGHUM. 

Fertilizer  for  Sorghum,  same  as  for  Corn. 
SPINACH. 
Use  per  acre  750  to  1,500  pounds  of  a   fertilizer  con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 2  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid . .     7         " 
Potash 5         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following   materials  may  be 

used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre, 

90  to  180  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
7510150     **    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 
150  to  300     *'    dried-blood. 

450  to  900  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 
375  to  750  '*  dissolved  bone,  or 
550  to  1 100     ''    bone-meal. 

80  to  160  lbs.  muriate,  or 
80  to  160     "    sulphate,  or 
320  to  640    **    kainit. 


Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 

(I 

Potash \  (2 

(3 


yo  PLANT    FOOD. 

SQUASHES. 

Fertilizer  for  Squashes,  same  as  for  Cucumbers. 

STRAWBERRIES. 

Apply  per  acre  825  to  1650  pounds  of  a  fertilizer 
containing ; 

Nitrogen 3  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid..     7         " 
Potash 9         " 

Instead   of   the   above  the  following  materials  may  be 

used  which  will  furnish   equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 

{  (i)  150  to  300  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen .'.  ■<  (2)  125  to  250     "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 

(  (3)  250  to  500     *'    dried-blood. 

Available  T  (i)  450  to    900  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

Phosphoric  Acid  \  (2)  375  to    750     "    dissolved  bone,  or 
(  (3)  ^S^  t*^  1 100     **    bone-meal. 

{  (i)   140  to    280  lbs.  muriate,  or 

Potash \{?S  140  to    280     "    sulphate,  or 

(  (3)  550  to  1100     "    kainit. 

TOBACCO. 

Use  per  acre  750  to  1,500  pounds  of  a  fertilizer  con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 4  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid..      6         " 
Potash ,,..    10         " 

Instead  of  the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 
used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 


PLANT    FOOD. 


7T 


Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 


Potash , . . . 


Pounds  materials  per  acre. 
\)  i8o  to  360  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 

Nitrogen \l?)  150  to  300     "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  01 

3)  300  to  600     "    dried-blood. 

i)  400  to    800  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 

2)  350  to    700     '*    dissolved  bone,  or 

3)  500  to  1000     '*    bone-meal. 

i)  160  to  320  lbs.  sulphate,  or 
2)  320  to  640     *'    sulphate  of  potash- 
(  magnesia. 

Suggestions.  Stable-manure  may  advantageously  be  ap- 
plied to  the  preceding  crop.  Potash  should  be  used  only  in 
form  of  sulphate. 

TOMATOES. 

On  an  acre  use  625  to  1,250  pounds  of  a  fertilizer 
containing : 

Nitrogen „ 4  per  cent. 

Available  Phosphoric  Acid . .     6         " 
Potash 7         " 

Instead   of  the  above   the  following  materials  may  be 

used  which  will  furnish  equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 

Pounds  jnaterials  per  acre. 
150  to  300  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
125  to  250     *'    sulph.  of  ammo.,  oj 
250  to  500     "     dried-blood. 


Nitrogen -^  (2 

(3 


Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 


(I 

(3 

Potash \  (2 

(3 


280  to  560  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 
250  to  500     "    dissolved  bone,  or 
350  to  700     "    bone-meal. 

80  to  160  lbs.  muriate,  or 
80  to  160     *'    sulphate,  or 
320  to  640     *'    kainit. 


72 


PLANT    FOOD. 


Tobacco  Unfertilized. 


Tobacco  Fertilized  with  Potash,  Phosphoric  Acid  and  Nitrogen. 
Experiment  Farm.  Southern  Pines    N.  C. 


PLANT    FOOD. 


73 


TURNIPS. 

V  Fertilizer  for  Turnips,  same  as  for  Beets. 

VETCH. 

Fertilizer  for  Vetch,  same  as  for  Cow  Peas. 

WATERMELONS. 

Fertilizer  for  Watermelons,  same  as  for  Cucumbers 

WHEAT. 

Use  per  acre  300  to  600  pounds  of  a  fertilizer  containing: 

Nitrogen 4  per  cent. 

Available   Phosphoric  Acid..      7         " 
Potash 4         " 

Instead   of   the  above  the  following  materials  may  be 

used  which  will  furnish   equivalent  quantities  of  nitrogen, 

phosphoric  acid  and  potash  respectively : 

Pounds  materials  per  acre. 
75  to  150  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
60  to  120     "    sulph.  of  ammo.,  or 
120  to  240     '' 


(I 

Nitrogen \  (2 

(3 


Available 
Phosphoric  Acid 


(> 

(3 
(I 

Potash -{  (2 

(3 


dried-blood. 

160  to  320  lbs.  acid  phosphate,  or 
140  to  280     "    dissolved  bone,  or 
200  to  400     "    bone-meal. 

25  to    50  lbs.  muriate,  or 
25  to    50     "    sulphate,  or 
100  to  200     "    kainit. 


SUGGESTIONS   RELATING   TO   SEPARATE 
FERTILIZING    INGREDIENTS. 

It  will  generally  be  found  more  economical  to  purchase 
fertilizinar  materials  of  high  grade.     In  applying  fertilizers, 


74  PLANT    FOOD. 

bulk  is  often  desirable,  but  in  purchasing  commercial  fertil* 
izers,  the  object  should  be  to  secure  as  much  nitrogen, 
potash  and  phosphoric  acid  in  available  forms  as  possible 
for  one  dollar,  instead  of  as  many  pounds  as  possible  of 
fertilizers,  regardless  of  the  amount  of  plant  food  contained 
in  it.  This  is  particularly  applicable  to  mixed  fertilizers. 
Since  there  is  a  smaller  bulk  to  handle  in  mixing,  a  smaller 
number  of  packages  for  holding  and,  consequently,  less 
weight  and  freight,  it  is,  as  a  rule,  more  economical  to 
purchase  fertilizers  in  their  more  concentrated  forms.  For 
illustration,  it  is  more  economical  to  purchase  one  ton  of  a 
high-grade  fertilizer  than  three  tons  of  a  low-grade  fertilizer, 
one  ton  of  the  former  containing  the  same  amount  of  plant- 
food  contained  in  three  tons  of  the  latter;  because,  in 
making  the  latter,  three  times  as  many  packages  are  re- 
quired and  three  times  as  much  freight  must  be  paid  all 
for  the  same  amount  of  plant-food. 

Fertilizers  cannot^  as  a  rule,  be  in  too  finely  powdered 
condition,  nor  can  they  be  too  dry.  With  many  materials, 
bone  for  example,  the  availability  as  plant-food  is  directly 
dependent  upon  the  fineness  of  division.  Excessive  moist- 
ure in  fertilizer  is  undesirable  on  several  grounds.  First, 
the  larger  the  amount  of  moisture,  the  smaller  will  be  the 
amount  of  plant-food  in  a  ton.  Second,  excess  of  moisture 
causes  the  particles  to  stick  together,  and  is  likely  to  result 
in  caking  and  clogging  when  used  in  drills.  Third,  an 
excess  of  moisture  favors  the  decomposition  and  loss  of 
nitrogen  in  many  forms  of  organic  matter.  This  is  shown 
by  the  fact  that  some   fertilizers  give  off  a  very  offensive 


PLANT    FOOD.  75 

odor  if  allowed  to  become  damp,  while  they  are  compara- 
tively free  from  disagreeable  odors  if  they  are  thoroughly 
dry.  A  strong  odor  in  a  fertilizer  is  an  indication  that 
organic  matter  is  decomposing  and  nitrogen  is  being  lost. 

METHODS  AND  SEASONS  OF  APPLYING  FERTILIZERS. 

The  effect  of  a  fertilizer  is  lost  if  it  does  not  reach  the 
plant  roots.  Pains  must  be  taken  to  secure  even  and  com- 
plete distribution  of  fertilizers  on  or  in  the  soil,  since  it  is 
desired  to  have  the  food  reach  every  plant  in  the  field.  In 
order  to  distribute  small  quantities  of  concentrated  fertil- 
izers over  a  broad  area,  it  is  well  to  dilute  by  mixing  with 
some  such  substance  as  dry  earth,  road-dust,  sifted  coal- 
ashes  or  sand. 

As  between  applying  fertilizers  with  the  drill  or  by 
broadcasting,  the  best  results  are  given  sometimes  by  one 
and  sometimes  by  the  other  method,  according  to  circum- 
stances. When  a  fertilizer  is  especially  needed  by  a  crop 
in  its  earliest  stages,  there  is  advantage  in  drilling  it  in  with 
the  seed.  When  concentrated  fertilizers  are  to  be  distributed 
broadcast,  it  is  desirable  that  they  should  be  somewhat 
diluted.  , 

Materials  which  are  readily  soluble  can  be  scattered  over 
the  surface.  After  the  first  fall  of  rain  they  distribute  them- 
selves '.hroughout  the  soil  very  completely  and  uniformly. 
Such  materials  are  nitrate  of  soda,  sulphate  of  ammonia, 
soluble  phosphates,  and  soluble  potash  salts.  These  ma- 
terials are  preferably  used  in  case  of  top  dressings. 

Materials  which   are   not  readily  soluble   are   preferably 


j6  PLANT    FOOD. 

well  mixed  through  and  beneath  the  soil.  Thus,  dried- 
blood,  bone-meal,  fish-scrap,  and  similar  materials  are  best 
placed  at  greater  depth  beneath  the  soil,  because  under 
these  conditions  they  become  soluble  more  rapidly  and  are 
retained  more  surely  by  the  soil. 

Time  of  application.  Fertilizers  which  dissolve  easily 
and  diffuse  through  soil  rapidly  and  which  are  not  readily 
retained  by  the  soil,  are  best  applied  only  when  the  crop  is 
ready  to  utilize  them.  If  put  on  too  early,  there  is  danger 
of  their  being  leached  from  the  soil  and  carried  more  or 
less  beyond  the  reach  of  the  plant,  and  thus  lost.  Nitrate, 
and  to  a  less  extent,  ammonia  compounds,  come  under  this 
precaution.  Hence  it  is  not  wise  ordinarly  to  apply 
guano,  ammonia  compounds  or  nitrate  of  soda  in  the  fall, 
except  in  climates  which  have  a  dry  fall  and  winter.  Their 
application  should  be  deferred  until  spring.  In  wet  spring, 
ammonia  compounds  are  preferably  applied  rather  than 
nitrate  of  soda  ;  or,  if  nitrate  of  soda  is  used,  loss  may  be 
avoided  by  making  several  small  applications  instead  of  one 
at  the  start.  Care  should  be  taken,  however,  riot  to  make 
applications  of  nitrate  of  soda  too  late  in  the  season,  as  the 
maturing  of  the  crop  will  be  retarded  and  there  will  be  an 
excessive  growth  of  stems  and  leaves. 

Fertilizers  which  do  not  dissolve  readily  or  which  do  not 
diffuse  through  the  soil  rapidly  are  better  applied  to  the 
land  before  the  crop  commences  its  growth.  To  this  class 
belong  stable-manure,  bone-manure,  dried-blood,  tankage, 
cotton-seed-meal,  ground-rock,  and,  to  some  extent,  soluble 
phosphates  and  potash  compounds. 


PLANT    FOOD,  77 

In  applying  highly  concentrated  commercial  fertilizers, 
it  is  wise  to  prevent  the  fertilizer  coming  in  contact  with 
the  seeds  or  foliage  of  plants.  Fertilizers  containing  am- 
monia compounds  should  not  be  mixed  with  wood-ashes, 
lime,  or  Thomas  slag  (odorless  phosphate),  since  some  of 
the  ammonia  is  likely  to  be  lost. 

On  soils  of  loose  texture  and  small  retentive  power,  it  is 
best  to  use,  for  the  most  part,  those  forms  of  fertilizers 
which  are  not  too  easily  soluble,  in  order  to  make  as  small 
as  possible  the  losses  occasioned  by  heavy  rains.  Animal 
and  vegetable  materials  are  specially  suited  for  such  cases. 

In  order  to  use  farm-yard  manures  to  the  best  advantage 
on  the  average  soil,  we  need  to  supplement  them  with  com- 
mercial fertilizers  containing  available  phosphoric  acid  and 
potash.  To  give  a  roughly  approximate  idea,  we  might  say 
that  for  every  ton  of  stable-manure  applied,  it  would  be 
well  to  use  with  it  from  50  to  100  pounds  of  acid  phosphate 
and  from  25  to  50  pounds  of  high-grade  muriate  or  sulphate 
of  potash.  It  appears  to  be  the  prevailing  belief  both  in 
theory  and  practice  that  best  results  are  ordinarily  secured 
by  applying  stable-manure  to  the  soil  in  as  fresh  condition 
as  possible.  Fresh  manure  gives  better  results  than  rotted 
manure  on  heavy  clay  soils,  when  one  desires  to  lighten  the 
condition  of  the  soil.  However,  when  one  desires  direct 
fertilizing  action  promptly,  fresh  manure  gives  sufficiently 
quick  returns  on  light  soils,  becoming  available  as  fast  as 
the  plant  needs  it,  if  the  season  is  not  too  dry  On  heavy 
ciay  soils,  manure  decomposes  slowly  and  the  constituents 
of  fresh  manure  may  not  become  available  as  fast  as  needed. 


78  PLANT    FOOD. 

Fresh  miitiure  has  a  tendency  to  favor  rapid  growth  of 
foliage  and  stems  at  the  expense  of  the  fruit  and  grain.  It 
is,  therefore  more  suitable  for  grasses,  forage  plants  and 
leafy  crops  than  for  grains.  Such  crops  as  potatoes,  sugar- 
beets  and  tobacco  appear  to  be  injured  in  quality  by  the 
direct  application  of  stable-manure.  It  is  advised  in  such 
cases  to  apply  the  manure  in  the  fall  previous  to  the  spring 
in  which  the  crops  are  to  be  put  in,  thus  allowing  time  for 
a  considerable  amount  of  decomposition. 

In  rotted  manure,  the  fertilizing  constituents,  as  a  rule, 
are  in  readily  available  form  for  the  use  of  plants.  Such 
manure  is  less  bulky  and  more  easily  distributed  than  fresh 
manure.  It  is  also  less  likely  to  promote  the  too  rapid 
growth  of  stems  and  leaves  as  in  the  case  of  fresh  manure. 
For  the  improvement  of  the  mechanical  condition  of  a  soil, 
the  best  results  come  from  using  rotted  manure  on  light 
soils.  It  must,  however,  be  remembered  that  on  such  soils 
there  is  more  or  less  danger  that  some  portion  of  the 
valuable  fertilizing  constituents  may  be  leached  out  andt 
lost.  On  this  account  it  is  found  advisable  to  apply  such 
manure  to  light  soils  only  a  short  time  before  it  is  needed  by 
the  crop.  In  general,  rotted  manure  is  better  adapted  to  spring 
applications.  It  is  better  to  apply  rotted  manure  on  light 
soils  at  frequent  intervals  in  small  amounts.  In  warm,  moist 
climates,  it  makes  much  less  difference  whether  the  manure 
is  applied  in  fresh  or  rotted  condition.  In  cold  climates, 
however,  the  use  of  decomposed  manure  is  preferable. 

Three  methods  of  applying  manure  on  the  field  are  in 
common  practice. 


PLANT    FOOD.  79 

Applying  in  Heaps.  By  this  method  the  manure  is  distrib- 
uted in  heaps  over  the  field  and  permitted  to  lie  some  time 
before  being  spread.  This  method  is  objectionable  for 
several  reasons.  The  labor  of  handling  is  increased  ;  there 
is  danger  from  loss  of  decomposition  and  leaching ;  the 
manure  is  not  uniformly  distributed,  the  spots  beneath  the 
heaps  being  more  thoroughly  manured  on  account  of  the 
leaching.  Storing  manure  in  very  large  heaps  is  less  objec- 
tionable, provided  the  heap  is  carefully  covered  with  earth 
and  not  allowed  to  lie  too  long. 

Applying  Broadcast.  By  this  method  the  manure  is 
spread  more  or  less  completely  and  evenly  on  the  field, 
being  plowed  in  at  once  or  allowed  to  lie  some  time  on  the 
surface.  This  is  preferably  practiced  on  the  level  field, 
where  there  is  little  danger  from  surface  washing.  In  late 
fall  and  early  spring,  there  is  likely  to  be  very  little  loss  of 
nitrogen.  On  a  loose  soil,  there  may  be  loss  from  leaching, 
if  the  manure  is  spread  long  before  the  crop  is  put  into  the 
soil ;  but  in  average  experience  this  is  not  apt  to  be  con- 
siderable. This  method  has  the  advantage  of  uniform 
distribution  as  the  liquid  portion  is  evenly  by  degrees 
mixed  with  the  soil.  When  manure  is  leached  of  its  soluble 
nitrogen  compounds,  it  does  not  decompose  so  readily.  On 
this  account,  it  is  well,  in  case  of  light  or  porous  soils,  to 
plow  the  manure  in  as  soon  as  spread.  In  regard  to  the 
depth  in  which  manure  should  be  plowed  in,  it  is  safe  to 
say  that  in  very  compact  soils,  the  depth  should  not  be 
greater  than  four  inches,  while  in  lighter  soils  the  depth 
may  be  increased.     It  is  important  that  the  manure  be  near 


8o  PLANT    FOOD. 

enough  the  surface  to  allow  access    of  sufficient  moisture 

and  air,  in  order  that  decomposition  may  not  be  too  much 

delayed. 

Applying  in  Rows.     This    method   has    the    advantage  of 

placing  the  manure   where    it   will    reach   the   plant   most 

quickly  and    enabling   one   to    use    smaller   amounts   than 

in   broadcasting.     It   is    especially   applicable    for    forcing 

some   garden    crops.     Rotted    manure    gives   good    results 

when    used    this   way. 

RULES     FOR     CALCULATING  FROM     ONE     COMPOUND 
INTO    OTHER    COMPOUNDS. 

Compounds  Containing  Nitrogen. 

To  change  ammonia  into  an  equivalent  amount  of  nitro* 
gen,  multiply  the  amount  of  ammonia  by  0.82. 

To  change  nitrogen  into  an  equivalent  amount  of  am- 
monia, multiply  the  amount  of  nitrogen  by  i  .21. 

To  change  nitrate  of  soda  into  an  equivalent  amount  of 
ammonia,  divide  the  amount  of  nitrate  of  soda  by  5. 

To  change  nitrate  of  soda  into  an  equivalent  amount  of 
nitrogen,  divide  the  amount  of  nitrate  of  soda  by  6. 

To  change  nitrogen  into  an  equivalent  amount  of  nitrate 
of  soda,  multiply  the  nitrogen  by  6. 

To  change  sulphate  of  ammonia  into  an  equivalent 
amount  of  ammonia,  divide  the  amount  of  pure  sulphate  of 
ammonia  by  4. 

To  change  ammonia  into  an  equivalent  amount  of  sul- 
phate of  ammonia,  multiply  the  amount  of  ammonia  by  3.9. 

To  change  nitrate  of  potash  into  an  equivalent  amount 
of  nitrogen,  divide  the  amount  of  nitrate  of  potash  by  7.2. 


n^ 


\J  UNZ    A    CO.,    PRINTERS,    24    BROADWAY,    NEW    YOF 


